Following a four-week nomination period, the Barriere / Star Journal and the Clearwater Time have officially opened the virtual polls for the community to vote for their favourite businesses and community groups across dozens of categories. Martina Dopf, publisher of the 100 Mile Free Press, Ashcroft Journal, Barriere Star / Journal and the surgeryitaly said she is thrilled to bring the contest back for another year.
"This is such a great opportunity to celebrate the incredible local businesses and organizations that make our region special. With over 70 categories, I can’t wait to see which businesses rise to the top, and we’re excited to reveal the top three in each category in our July 10 print edition and online," Dopf said.
As in previous years, the North Thompson communities are welcome to vote every day for their chosen business by going online to https://www.barrierestarjournal.com/ or https://www.clearwatertimes.com/ finding the 2025 Best of the Valley Contest under our contests tab. Voting opened on Monday, May 26 and will run until June 20. Dopf said votes are already starting to pour in.
"The response has been amazing. Just a week into voting (as of June 2), we’ve already recorded over 4,000 votes from more than 175 engaged community members," Dopf said.
Dopf added that she would like to thank the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo for sponsoring the contest this year. Everyone who votes during the contest will automatically be entered into a random draw with a chance to win one of two sets of weekend passes to the 2025 Fall Fair and Rodeo.
