Nominations open for Best of Clarendon 2024 contest

Best of Clarendon is back, and that's cause for celebration.

Nominations for The Sumter Item's annual readers' choice contest covering Clarendon County are being accepted in more than 200 categories now through March 12.

The contest serves as Clarendon County's premier and farthest-reaching campaign to recognize all the great people, places, businesses, services and events in the area. Winners will be named in categories spanning auto and transportation, business, community, food and drinks, education, home and finance, medical services, professionals and shopping and commerce. That means if you want to know what your neighbors, coworkers, business associates and strangers all over town think the best place is in town to find an oil change, a place to take the kids, a specialist doctor, a home appraiser, a tax professional or a hotdog, Best of Clarendon has the answer.

The contest also features community-based categories such as teacher, nurse and law enforcement officer. Voters decide on their favorite nonprofit organization, their favorite place to volunteer and their favorite church.

"Winners tell us every day how being named Best of Clarendon brings people to their doors, so it's not only a point of pride for people and employees, but also a revenue driver for local businesses," Item Publisher Vince Johnson said. "And for our staff at The Item, the red carpet event where we celebrate all of the winners is one of the great highlights of the year."

Having a subscription to The Sumter Item is not necessary to participate at any stage of the contest, including being a nominee or winner.

Nominations will be approved by Item staff within 48 hours.

Once nominations close in mid-March, everyone can vote once per day in as many or few categories as they want March 13-April 10.

The red carpet winners' celebration and magazine release is scheduled for June 13.

To make your nominations, go to www.theitem.com/bestofclarendon.