The Bedford Tribune is proud to introduce Best of Bedford 2027, a yearlong community recognition program celebrating the businesses that make Bedford, Ohio, a special place to live, work, and visit.
Each month, community members will have the opportunity to nominate and vote for their favorite Bedford businesses in a designated category.
The competition begins January 1, 2027, with a new category featured each month. Participation is free.
1. Business Eligibility
To qualify for Best of Bedford recognition, a business must:
- Be physically located within the City of Bedford, Ohio, or genuinely based within Bedford city limits.
- Be actively operating during the nomination period. Temporary closures for renovations or seasonal operations do not automatically disqualify a business.
- Provide products or services relevant to the month’s featured category.
- Operate in compliance with applicable business requirements.
Independent businesses, regional and national chains, and qualifying home-based businesses are eligible.
Businesses located outside Bedford city limits are not eligible, even if they serve Bedford customers.
The Bedford Tribune and organizations directly administering the competition are not eligible to receive awards.
2. Monthly Categories
The following categories will be featured throughout 2027:
| Month | Category |
|---|---|
| January | Best Pizza |
| February | Best Date Night Spot |
| March | Best Breakfast |
| April | Best Salon/Barbershop |
| May | Best Garden/Lawn Business |
| June | Best Ice Cream/Frozen Treat |
| July | Best Patio/Outdoor Dining |
| August | Best Local Shop |
| September | Best Burger |
| October | Best Place for a Sweet Treat |
| November | Best Takeout |
| December | Best Holiday Shopping |
3. Nomination Process
Nominations open on the 1st of each month and close on the 10th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Each person may submit one nomination per monthly category.
- Nominations must be submitted through the official online nomination form published by The Bedford Tribune.
- There is no fee to nominate a business.
- Every eligible business receiving at least one valid nomination will advance to the public voting ballot.
- The number of nominations a business receives does not affect its standing during the voting period.
- Duplicate or otherwise invalid nominations may be removed during the review process.
The Bedford Tribune will review nominations for eligibility before preparing the official ballot.
4. Public Voting
Voting opens on the 14th of each month and closes on the 24th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Voting is open to everyone.
- Each person may cast one vote per monthly category.
- Votes must be submitted through the official voting poll published by The Bedford Tribune.
- Voting is free, and no purchase is necessary.
- Businesses may encourage customers, employees, and supporters to participate.
Vote buying, automated voting, fraudulent submissions, and attempts to manipulate the results are prohibited.
The Bedford Tribune reserves the right to review voting activity and exclude votes determined to be invalid.
5. Winner Selection
The eligible business receiving the highest number of valid votes will be named the winner of that month’s Best of Bedford category.
In the event of an exact tie, the businesses involved will be recognized as co-winners.
A business may win more than one category during the calendar year.
Winners will be announced on the 1st of the following month through The Bedford Tribune.
6. Winner Recognition
Winning businesses will receive:
- Recognition in a feature article published by The Bedford Tribune.
- A digital Best of Bedford winner badge for promotional use.
- A Best of Bedford window cling recognizing their achievement.
Winners may share their recognition through their websites, social media accounts, and other promotional materials.
7. Fair Participation
Businesses are welcome to promote the competition and encourage participation.
However, businesses and participants may not purchase votes, offer incentives in exchange for votes, use automated voting methods, or otherwise attempt to improperly influence the outcome.
Advertising with The Bedford Tribune does not affect eligibility, ballot placement, vote totals, or winner selection.
8. Privacy and Information Collection
The Bedford Tribune may collect limited information through nomination and voting forms for the purposes of administering the competition, reviewing submissions, preventing duplicate participation, and verifying results.
Personal information collected through the competition will not be sold.
Information will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy practices and retained only as reasonably necessary for competition administration and recordkeeping.
9. Competition Administration
The Bedford Tribune reserves the right to:
- Verify business eligibility.
- Review and remove invalid nominations or votes.
- Investigate suspected manipulation or fraudulent activity.
- Disqualify businesses or submissions that violate these rules.
- Adjust competition schedules or procedures when technical difficulties or other circumstances make changes necessary.
Any significant changes affecting participation will be communicated through The Bedford Tribune.
Decisions regarding eligibility, valid submissions, and competition results will be made in accordance with these published rules.
10. Questions and Contact Information
Questions regarding Best of Bedford 2027, business eligibility, nominations, or voting may be directed to:
The Bedford Tribune
Email: editor@bedfordohio.org
Website: bedfordohio.org
Best of Bedford 2027 is a community recognition initiative administered by The Bedford Tribune.
