The Best Is Still To Come

For the past 22 years, the Best of Tallahassee awards have been one of the city’s most highly anticipated events, a night featuring clinking glasses, thrumming live music — and the opportunity to gather in celebration of the best businesses and service providers in Tallahassee. While this year’s event is happening virtually, it will be more unified than ever.

The 2020 Best of Tallahassee awards will take place Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. on FOX 49. The presentation will be hosted by LIVE! In Tallahassee, FOX 49 and Tallahassee Magazine. During the hour-long special, the winners and honorable mentions of over 100 categories will be announced.

The audience will follow as the hosts surprise five veteran winners by showing up at their business and capturing their reactions as they are presented with their award. The November/December issue of Tallahassee Magazine will include a feature story detailing 10 additional veteran “Best of” winners, along with all the winners and honorable mention of each category.

Throughout the program, a QR code will appear on the screen that viewers can scan, which will direct them to a form to be entered into a contest featuring products and gift cards donated from winning businesses. Over $5,000 has been donated resulting in gift baskets that five lucky winners will receive. The winners will be notified via email to receive their baskets containing over $1,000 in products.

In an effort to promote celebration, viewers are encouraged to host watch parties in their own homes. Dress up, drink, dine and celebrate in true “Best of” fashion. To show others how you celebrate, and for a chance to be featured on Tallahassee Magazine’s social media, tag @tallahasseemag and use the hashtag #BestOfTally.

“We are thrilled that this event will reach its largest audience ever,” said McKenzie Burleigh, Vice President/Corporate Development of Rowland Publishing, publisher of Tallahassee Magazine. “The event is open to the entire community so we can all experience the excitement and celebration of awarding the best businesses as selected by our readers. We want to create a fun, positive show that presents familiar faces, introduces you to local businesses, encourages you to support local, and ultimately makes us all feel more connected.”

As a result of being televised and free, the event will reach a bigger audience than ever before. Although the event is not ticketed, there is still a charitable portion that Tallahassee community members are encouraged to donate to. This year’s event will benefit the COVID-19 Relief Fund by the United Way of the Big Bend. You can text UWBBGIVE to 44321. Or visit TallahasseeMagazine.com/best-of-tallahassee.

“The spirit of honoring the best businesses and celebrating those who make Tallahassee the best place to live, promoting our dedicated sponsors that help make the event possible, and the joy of benefiting a local nonprofit will all remain the same as ever,” said Burleigh.

See below for a full list of prize packages:

Benson’s Heating and Air Conditioning – Cooler bag with 2 insulated tumblers

Adieren Narro Photography – Free session of choice

Riccardo’s Restaurant – Riccardo’s gift certificate

RedEye Coffee – Appreciation Basket – enjoy a sample of all of your favorite local coffee, tea, and more.

Weezies Cottage – gift certificate in-home consultation value $175

Weezies Cottage – in-home home decorating consultation plus holiday candle value $250

The Refinery Barre Fitness, LLC – One Month Unlimited In-Studio and Zoom Class Package, Refinery Shirt, Refinery Magnet

Coldwell Banker Hartung – LG Comfort Colors Sweatshirt, 22oz Insulated Tumbler and Coozies

Coton Colors – Iris Blue Sprout Mango Wood Footed Bowl

BARE WAXING CENTER – gift card

Superior Painting – gift certificate

Psychiatry Associates of Tallahassee, LLC – gift basket

The Gem Collection – Pandora Flexible Sterling Bracelet with Sterling Tallahassee Charm

Samantha Nicole Weddings & Events – Gift certificate for $200 off any planning package

Thompson Crawford & Smiley – Will

Walter Green Boutique – $100 Gift Card

FASTSIGNS – $100 gift certificate with FASTSIGNS

Royal Nails – Chocolate manicure and chocolate pedicure

Apple Pie Maids Cleaning – gift card for cleaning/basket with some cleaning items

Jeri’s Midtown Cafe – Brunch for 2 with bottomless Mimosas

Proof Brewing Co. – $50 gift card and beer/sanitizer basket

Parker Roofing Options, LLC dba PRO Roofing – certificate for 1 roof maintenance and promo items with company logo

Drs. Chichetti, Torgerson and Hartley – At home-tooth whitening system (for two)

Fielder – Gift Certificate

Farmer’s Daughter Vineyard / Thomasville, GA – Two bottles of wine; Sand Angel and Bombshell

Growing Room – Gift basket

First Commerce Credit Union – Gift basket

Fox49 – 5 gift bags FOX 49

Redwire – Redwire cooler/thermal bag

Kool Beanz – $50 Gift certificate

Bath Fitter – Moen Magnetix Rain Shower Head Handheld Shower in Brushed Nickel – value at $199

Ox Bottom – Pet *spa day* (bath and brush, nail trim, ear cleaning, anal sac expression, spa snacks) – value $65

University Center Club – University Center Club Dinner for 2 value of $100 plus wine $40