Celebrating the people and places that make Clarion County special
Zenith Community Choice Awards
The 2026 Zenith Community Choice Awards will recognize local businesses, organizations, events, places, and people selected by the Clarion County community.
Community members will submit nominations, qualified nominees will advance to a public ballot, and winners will receive titles such as Clarion County’s Best Wings, 2026.
Nominations are scheduled to close on August 1, 2026.
About the Awards
The awards create a positive and accessible way for residents to recognize the businesses, services, organizations, activities, and people they value.
Community Recognition
Highlight local businesses, organizations, programs, events, and individuals that residents believe deserve recognition.
Local Participation
Give community members a direct role in nominations and voting rather than having winners selected privately.
Community Discovery
Help residents learn about local shops, services, activities, organizations, and community leaders they may not already know.
Positive Promotion
Give finalists and winners useful recognition that can be shared online and displayed at their locations.
Local Pride
Create a yearly opportunity to celebrate the strengths, character, and variety of Clarion County.
Support for ZCP
Build awareness of Zenith Community Program and its charitable programs and community projects.
How the Awards Will Work
The awards will use a public nomination period followed by a separate public voting period.
Nominations
Community members nominate eligible Clarion County businesses, organizations, events, places, and people.
Finalists
Duplicate names are combined, eligibility is reviewed, and qualified nominees are organized by category.
Community Voting
Finalists begin with zero votes and appear on a separate public ballot. Voters may skip categories they do not know.
Recognition
Valid votes are counted, winners are announced, and award materials are provided.
2026 Award Categories
The first awards cycle includes 30 categories covering food, shopping, services, recreation, community organizations, events, and local people. The graphics below are examples of how category and winner recognition may appear.
Food-category promotion
Sample winner recognition
Sample category recognition
Food and Drink
- Best Burger
- Best Pizza
- Best Wings
- Best Breakfast
- Best Coffee Shop
- Best Bakery or Dessert
- Best Casual Restaurant
- Best Bar or Pub
- Best Takeout
- Best Ice Cream or Frozen Treat
Shopping and Services
- Best Local Retail Store
- Best Auto Repair Shop
- Best Contractor or Home-Service Business
- Best Salon or Barber Shop
- Best Pet-Care Business
- Best Professional Service
- Best New Business
- Best Customer Service
Health, Fitness, and Recreation
- Best Fitness Center or Gym
- Best Youth Sports Program
- Best Outdoor Recreation Spot
- Best Family Activity
- Best Entertainment Venue
- Best Community Event or Festival
Community and Organizations
- Best Nonprofit or Community Organization
- Best Local Artist or Maker
- Best Place to Work
- Best Local Fundraiser or Charity Event
Local People and Community Favorites
- Best Local Teacher, Coach, or Mentor
- Clarion County Community Champion
Eligibility and Fair Participation
Who May Be Nominated
- Businesses, organizations, events, and attractions located in Clarion County or regularly providing substantial service within the county.
- Individuals who live, work, teach, coach, volunteer, create, or provide meaningful service in Clarion County.
- Self-nominations are permitted.
- For Best New Business, the business must have opened within the 18 months before nominations close, which means on or after February 1, 2025.
How Fairness Will Be Protected
- No Google account sign-in will be required.
- An email address will be required for administrative review.
- Only one nomination response and one voting ballot are allowed per email address.
- Duplicate submissions, false information, automated voting, purchased votes, and other manipulation may be removed.
- Zenith Community Program may combine duplicate spellings, correct names, move nominees to appropriate categories, and remove ineligible entries.
Results reflect the preferences of participating community members. They are not a scientific survey, government designation, safety certification, or guarantee of quality.
Winner Recognition
Winner titles will follow the format Clarion County’s Best [Category], 2026.
Digital Winner Badge
A shareable digital graphic for websites, social media, advertising, and other promotional materials.
Winner Plaque
A physical plaque suitable for display at the winning business, organization, or location.
Public Announcement
Recognition through Zenith Community Program’s website, social media, email communications, and community outreach.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorships may help cover ballot administration, website expenses, promotional materials, plaques, winner recognition, community outreach, and other program costs.
Presenting Sponsor
Support the overall awards program and its public launch.
Category Support
Help support a category group, printed materials, or award plaques.
Community Promotion
Help expand awareness and participation throughout Clarion County.
Sponsorship does not guarantee nomination, finalist status, favorable treatment, or an award.
Ask About SponsorshipWatch for Award Updates
Nomination instructions, the public nomination form, voting dates, finalist announcements, and award updates will be published by Zenith Community Program. Nominations are scheduled to close on August 1, 2026.