Best of Summerlin announces winners

It was another record-breaking year for the Best of Summerlin competition as more than 3,500 votes poured in to name 12 popular venues throughout the master-planned community the “Best” in a variety of categories.

The Best of Summerlin competition celebrates the people and places that make the 22,500-acre master-planned community such a popular place to live, work and play. With 700 nominations submitted in September and October, this year’s competition featured a bumper crop of new finalists. This year’s winners are:

■ Best Park: The Willows Park

■ Best School Spirit: Faith Lutheran Middle School and High School

■ Best Place to Work Out: Parks and Trails

■ Best Family-Friendly Restaurant: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

■ Best Happy Hour: Yard House

■ Best Restaurant for a Celebration: Vintner Grill

■ Best Locally Owned Restaurant or Eatery: Rachel’s Kitchen

■ Best Doctor (or Veterinarian): Mathew Brooks, MS, DVM- Town Center Animal Hospital

■ Best Golf Course: TPC Summerlin

Best Small Retail Business (nonrestaurant, 20 employees or fewer): Sweet Bubble

■ Best Large Retail Business: Costco

■ Best Community Event: Downtown Summerlin grand opening

“The community really embraced the finalists and the competition was fierce in some categories,” Summerlin marketing director Danielle Bisterfeldt said.

“Several finalists used social media and created their own marketing plan to drum up votes. It was exciting to see all of the fun ways they were able to promote themselves throughout the competition,” she said.

Each finalist received 2014 Best of Summerlin promotional materials from The Howard Hughes Corp. and every location was featured on Summerlin’s Instagram page in the Adventures of Summerlin Sam.

The promotional campaign created for the Best of Summerlin competition is in its second year and features the community’s jackrabbit mascot, Summerlin Sam, a plush stuffed doll that visited the finalists for photo ops during voting.

“The Adventures of Summerlin Sam is a creative way for everyone to get a look at each finalist,” Bisterfeldt said. “This competition is about showcasing the best amenities, services, venues and events offered in this community, and Summerlin Sam is a fun way to do it. Congratulations to this year’s winners.”