Best Of the Lakes Region celebration will highlight over 400 local companies

GILFORD — From dining and drinks to shopping and activities, the best of the best in the Lakes Region will be in the spotlight next week.

Best Of the Lakes Region, organized by The Laconia Daily Sun, will host a celebration of the 2024 winners 4-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, at Gunstock Mountain Resort. The contest, started six years ago, seeks to highlight local businesses and individuals the community thinks shine in their work.

Thursday’s event will feature music by Katie Dobbins, Sunshine Street and 93 North as well as caricatures by Have a Cartoon You. Gunstock’s scenic chair lift and Mountain Coaster will also be up and running. Mike Seymour, executive vice president at Bank of New Hampshire, will give the keynote address.

Winners will be celebrated in categories including Eat & Drink, Health & Beauty, Home & Garden, Marine, Motors, Services, Shopping and Things to Do. Between them, the program features 204 categories with more than 13,000 businesses nominated.

Food will be available from Greens & Beans Farm, Laconia Village Bakery, Town Docks, South End Pizza & Seafood, Annie’s Cafe & Catering, Tilt’n Diner, Kettlehead Brewing Company and O Steaks & Seafood.

“We’re very fortunate. We have tons of food for the event so people come out just for the food alone,” said Daily Sun Sales Director Rick Hopper.

Voting was up this year, from 281,000 votes cast in 2023, to 302,000 in 2024, according to Hopper.

“Which is crazy,” he said.

A magazine with all the winners will be available at the party on Thursday, as well as at The Laconia Daily Sun office on Union Avenue and other locations throughout the Lakes Region.

Over the last few years, the event has grown in popularity, Hopper said, with encouragement from local businesses like Bank of New Hampshire, presenting sponsor of the event. Comcast Business is also a sponsor.

“A couple of years ago, they kind of prompted us to make this bigger,” he said. “We’re fortunate. How many bigger places are there in the Lakes Region than Gunstock? They were very kind to become our venue sponsor and then to help us to grow the event to where it was last year, when we had almost 400 people.”

Bonnie MacPherson, director of marketing for Gunstock, said as somebody who moved to the area less than two years ago, she's amazed when people don't know some of the attractions Gunstock offers. Holding an event, like the Best Of the Lakes Region, is an opportunity to show the community what's available there.

"It's about relationships and connections," she said. "I think last year's event was a huge success. It was a beautiful day. We had the deck and outdoor patio available. People had a good time and hopefully we have an even better one this year."

Hopper said there's also some surprises in the works for attendees.

“Our goal is to present a magical night,” he said.

For tickets, visit rsvp4thebest.com.