Eleven Aroostook County businesses took home top honors Thursday in Aroostook County Tourism’s second annual Best of Aroostook Awards.
Aroostook County Tourism spearheads the awards, which seek to introduce voters to the wide swath of dining, lodging, shopping and recreation options in The County, from the Canadian border to the edge of Penobscot and Washington counties.
Awards categories included the more traditional, such as Best Restaurant — given for the second consecutive year to Salted Butter Farm in Sherman — and the uniquely Aroostook: Best Molasses Donut, for which voters chose Sadie’s Bakery in Houlton.
The public cast more than 1,700 votes between Jan. 1 and March 23 in the online poll for the awards, Aroostook tourism developer Jacob Pelkey said. That’s more than double the number cast for the inaugural awards a year prior.
Winners were honored Thursday afternoon at an event held at Northern Maine Community Trails in Presque Isle.
“We’ve just told these businesses, ‘Hey, you’ve done something fantastic,’” Pelkey said before presenting the awards. “‘People are recognizing your good work and they love what you’re doing here.’”
The full list of winners:
Best Brewery: Northern Maine Brewing Company, Caribou. Honorable Mention: First Mile Brewing Company, Fort Kent.
Best Restaurant: Salted Butter Farm, Sherman. Honorable Mention: Rodney’s at 436 Main, Presque Isle.
Best Molasses Donut: Sadie’s Bakery, Houlton. Honorable Mention: Ruska Coffee Company, Caribou.
Best Hotel or Lodge: The Northeastland Hotel, Presque Isle. Honorable Mention: Best Western Caribou Inn, Caribou.
Best Coffee Spot: Ruska Coffee Company, Caribou. Honorable Mention: Hub Coffee, Presque Isle.
Best Gift Shop: Neighborhood Books, Presque Isle. Honorable Mention: Volumes, Houlton.
Best Poutine: Lakeview Restaurant, St. Agatha. Honorable Mention: Dolly’s Restaurant, Frenchville.
Best Ployes: Dolly’s Restaurant, Frenchville. Honorable Mention: Bouchard Family Farm, Fort Kent.
Best Golf Course: Mars Hill Country Club, Mars Hill. Honorable Mention: Va Jo Wa Golf Course, Island Falls.
Best Shopping: Marden’s, Madawaska, Presque Isle and Houlton. Honorable Mention: Home Ec. Market, Presque Isle.
Best Ski Place: Big Rock Mountain, Mars Hill. Honorable Mention: Fort Kent Outdoor Center, Fort Kent.