FOCUS ON OUR STARS

Here’s your chance to recognize the local crème de la crème in the 2021 Times Union Best of the Capital Region’s readers’ poll.

Looking forward? You bet. New year, new hopes. Especially this year. And what better way to accentuate the positive than looking to the great things we have here in the Capital Region. Great businesses. Great food. Great parks. Great people. Here’s your chance to recognize the local crème de la crème in the 2021 Times Union Best of the Capital Region’s readers’ poll.

With 100 categories to help find the best of the best in four overall sectors of Capital Region life — dining out, goods and services, arts and entertainment, and best of the rest — this year’s reader poll aims to shine a hopeful light on the near future, supporting what we love about this region. Last year’s poll ended just days before society started to shut down. Our favorite park and waterfront site will survive the coronavirus, but others — local organizations and businesses — need the shout-out just to survive.

There are several new categories, some of which reflect this past year’s pandemic. Some categories were temporarily dropped (how can we vote on best live concert?), but with hopes of their speedy return.

Inside you’ll find the print ballot. Online voting began Friday and you can do that by visiting timesunion.com/bestof2021.

Happy voting. Here’s to looking on the bright side.

It can be hard to sum up the Capital Region succinctly; there’s a lot we want to shout from the rooftops about our area. The Times Union Best Of 2021 poll can be a conduit for all that. We’re giving you 100 options — a handful of them new — to showcase your favorite restaurants, businesses, organizations, and other reasons to love the Capital Region. You can also nominate online at timesunion.com/bestof2021. The final voting round will only be available online.