For 19 years, the Snoqualmie Valley Record staff has asked our readers to pick their favorite local businesses, nonprofits and people in our Best of the Valley reader poll.

Our subscribers and just about everyone else in the Valley loved it. However, with the challenges that our local business community faced during and after Covid, the contest took a reluctant hiatus for a year or two. But now it is back!

Since 2004, Best of the Valley has been an opportunity for a cheerful showdown among local businesses. Best of the Valley also provides a good snapshot of our local community and its movers and shakers. Covering local groups like food and drink, health and fitness, professional and home services, shopping and community, the contest gives all Valley residents the opportunity to have their voices heard and pick their local favorites in over 100 individual categories.

The contest is also a fun venue to brand your business and to take pride in being voted the Best of the Valley. In the contest, we’ll have every business category imaginable. Plus best in all types of restaurants, including best place for date night or meeting friends, best bakery, winery and brewery. We’ll have the best chiropractor, dentist, real estate agent and agency and best insurance, bank or credit union. On the home front, we have best in HVAC, plumber and several other home categories that we all use. We have several other unique listings, including best art gallery, best retail shopping area, best store manager, best local performing arts group and best (most) inspiring resident. And then there is my favorite: the best “quirky thing about the Valley!”

Public servants and business people with a lot of friends, family, clients and local connections also typically get a good showing, but newcomers and that hidden Valley treasure — business or person — can often shine too. We are always impressed by the depth and breadth of votes cast for many diverse businesses in each category. Each of them have a strong following of happy and loyal customers.

This year’s digital contest is live Sept. 26 through Oct. 24, so make sure you enter the contest and vote for all your favorite businesses, people, places and things in the Valley that you love.

The link is at http://snoqualmievalleyrecord.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-the-Valley and can be easily accessed on our website at www.valleyrecord.com.

The Best of the Valley categories will also be listed in the Valley Record print editions Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, 10, and 17.

The 2025 Best of the Valley winners and finalists will be revealed Friday, Dec. 12, in special printed pages in the Valley Record and online at www.valleyrecord.com.

Who will win the Best in the Valley? Vote and find out!

William Shaw is the general manager and publisher of the Snoqualmie Valley Record. You can reach him at william.shaw@valleyrecord.com.