The finalists for the 2026 Best of Marathon Awards have been determined, marking the next stage in a community-driven selection process. The voting period is now open for readers to cast their ballots for the top individuals, businesses, and organizations that define Marathon.

Voting Underway for Top Honors

According to the Keys Weekly, the selection process began in July when readers were invited to submit nominations for their favorite aspects of Marathon. This initial phase resulted in 1,605 voters submitting 57,292 nominations across various categories.

The field has now been narrowed down to the top three vote-getters in each category, who will appear on the official ballot. The Keys Weekly highlighted that reaching the finalist stage is a significant achievement, recognizing the impact these individuals and businesses have had on the Marathon community.

"Every name on this year’s ballot represents a person, business or organization that made enough of an impression on this town for Marathon to say, ‘Yep. Them.’"

The voting portal is accessible at keysweekly.com/BOM26. Voting commenced at noon on Thursday, August 20, and will continue through midnight on September 6. Participants are permitted to vote once per day.

Awards Gala Set for September

Following the conclusion of the voting period, the winners will be announced at the 2026 Best of Marathon Awards show. This highly anticipated event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 19, at Hawks Cay Resort.

The awards gala has become a notable event on the local calendar. Attendance is typically by invitation, with winners, nominees, and local dignitaries receiving priority. Limited tickets are usually made available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis from a waiting list. Those interested in joining the waiting list can email patti@keysweekly.com.

The Keys Weekly also noted that while finalists are encouraged to promote their candidacies, attempts to influence votes through unofficial means are not endorsed. The publication emphasized that reaching the finalist stage is a testament to the community's recognition of their contributions.

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