After much thought and consideration, Rowland Publishing/Emerald Coast Magazine has made the executive decision to forgo hosting the traditional Best of the Emerald Coast event at Grand Boulevard Town Center, and instead, host a virtual fundraising campaign to benefit the Junior League of the Emerald Coast (JLEC).

In June, readers were able to cast their vote for the best businesses, service providers, and local restaurants to be considered for the “Best of the Emerald Coast” award created by Rowland Publishing/Emerald Coast Magazine. Votes were cast online and collected by traditional ballots that were featured in the June/July issue of Emerald Coast Magazine. All locally owned businesses from Bay to Escambia county were eligible for this prestigious recognition.

Winners are set to be announced on October 1, 2020 and are usually celebrated with a showcase event and winners party. However, due to the ongoing concern for the spread of COVID-19, and in an effort to keep everyone safe and healthy, Rowland Publishing/Emerald Coast Magazine will not host a “Best Of The Emerald Coast” event or winners party this year. In an effort to still raise funds for JLEC, all winners will be encouraged to donate $100 to the local non-profit. This will take place in lieu of the tent fee winners would originally have to pay in order to participate in the “Best Of” event at Grand Boulevard Town Center. Community members are also encouraged to donate in lieu of their original event ticket purchase to help top last year’s donation total of $75,811.64.

Now in its 21-year anniversary, Emerald Coast Magazine created “The Best of the Emerald Coast” award to recognize various locally-owned businesses ranging from restaurants and service providers to shopping and entertainment. The winners are chosen by the readers and local audience of the Emerald Coast to pay homage to their favorite spots and those who they felt went above and beyond the scope of service.

Rowland Publishing/Emerald Coast Magazine would like to thank this years’ sponsors including Grand Boulevard Town Center, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Vacasa, Counts Real Estate Group, Inc., Proffitt PR, Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, Trulieve, Land • Air • Sea Productions, and Farmer’s Daughter Vineyards, along with this year’s beneficiary The Junior League of the Emerald Coast.

Those interested in donating to the JLEC in honor of “Best of the Emerald Coast,” visit https://850tix.com/organizations/1127/donate.