FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - It’s time to get ready, set, and vote. There’s much to celebrate in the community of Fair Oaks, pandemic or no pandemic, said Kimberley Pitillo, voluntary chairman of the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, as the chamber gets ready to kick off its fifth annual celebration recognizing the “Best of Fair Oaks.”

“We know the event may look a little different this year, but we’re going ahead with our celebration,” she said.

Pitillo said nominations will open November 12 in some 55 categories celebrating the best businesses and public events which the eclectic community calls home.

“We’re working to launch our website, www.thebestoffairoaks.com, and should have that up and running soon. A listing of categories and past nominees can be viewed at www.thebestoffairoaks.com

“The voting process is all online and begins on Nov 12th to Dec 24th. Anyone can vote for their favorite places and events in our community,” she said.

“Last year we had a record-breaking number of votes, voters and participants. We are hoping to beat that record this year,” she said.

“We know this is a different year of course with the pandemic, but we decided to spark some fun and have something to look forward to, so we are moving forward with the voting process online and hopefully we will be able to have an in-person event in January 2021, but if not, we will host a virtual event to announce the winners. Last year’s “Best of Fair Oaks” awards celebration was held at Northridge Country Club in Fair Oaks.

“Contenders MUST be a member of the Fair Oaks Chamber or a business in the 95628 zip code.  Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce (FOCC) members may have a business outside of Fair Oaks and can qualify, so long as they are in good standing in their membership,” she said.

Anyone can vote for their favorite places and/or events. Pitillo said she hopes all businesses small and large can join in on the “Best of Fair Oaks”, as a great way to get their business recognized.

Winners from last year included: Best Restaurant - The Wild Rooster Bistro; Best Pub/Bar - The Fair Oaks Brew Pub; Best Pizza - Del's Family Pizza; Best Event - Fair Oaks Chicken Festival; and Best Entertainment - Fair Oaks Concerts in the Park. The event is co-sponsored by the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce and American River Messenger.

Proceeds from the “Best of Fair Oaks” which is presented by the Fair Oaks Youth Outreach (FOYO) group of teens from ages 12 – 19 benefits the group’s scholarship program for local youth.

The Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce closed its physical office and shifted to virtual on-line operations in September, Pitillo said.

“We lost some 55 major Chamber events this year in Fair Oaks, including the Fair Oaks Fiesta and all our summer concerts. We’re not sure whether we’ll be able to host our annual Christmas celebration,” she said. According to Pitillo, the Chamber took close to a $75K loss due to the pandemic.

Now working from home and within the community, Pitillo said she’s focused on updating the chamber’s website to provide useful marketing information to its members and doing her best carrying out its mission statement to serve, represent and enhance business growth and success in the Fair Oaks community.

Businesses can promote the “Best of Fair Oaks” vote at their stores, through social media and other means to get people to cast their votes to win,” she said.

All award winners are voted on by Chamber members, Fair Oaks citizens and readers of the American River Messenger newspaper. All the votes cast are tabulated by a third party to verify authenticity.

“It’s important to support all our local small businesses, not only our restaurants, but our bars, specialty shops, salons, banks, home businesses, grocery, senior care, real estate, financial advisors, local dentists and doctors, schools, churches, gyms, recreation and parks, our small clubs and non-profit organizations, and so many more,” she wrote on the Chamber’s web site. “We need these businesses to thrive, so that we can all thrive.”