Aylmer celebrated its best at the Best of Aylmer Readers’ Choice Awards Gala at the Gatineau Golf Club, April 24. The event is by invitation-only, for finalists in this popular annual readers’ choice competition. Exclusive to finalists, sponsors and community leaders, the banquet hall was filled to capacity.

Hosted by the Bulletin d’Aylmer, the event honoured organizations, businesses or people garnering top votes being announced the winner. Because the ballots offered categories with blank spaces for readers to fill out with their votes, a wide range of businesses were nominated.

Organizer Sophia Ryan noted the gala and campaign were even more popular this year than ever before, “When we started the Best of Aylmer Readers’ Choice Awards six years ago, we were looking for a fresh new way to help promote Aylmer businesses. By inviting readers to tell Aylmer about their favourites, we highlighted an unbiased opinion.” Six years later, the awards campaign and gala are part of what makes Aylmer unique. “No other sector of Gatineau is as appreciative of local treasures as we are here,” she said.

New to the gala were surprise guests, international champion white-water kayakers. They were in Aylmer because of the high water at Deschênes Rapids and spoke about why Aylmer is the best place to compete due to the ruins and rapids. They showed a brief video showing their skills in the rapids and were lauded with a roar of applause from the audience. Their video is available on the Bulletin’s website, www.bulletinaylmer.com.

Mayor of Gatineau Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin addressed the guests during the awards ceremony, congratulating the finalists for their popularity, and the Bulletin team for hosting the event. Referring to the kayakers’ speech, he invited folks to email his office on the topic of saving the Deschênes Rapids. MNA André Fortin sent a recorded video message of congratulations and gratitude for his nomination in the Best Politician category.

Lily Ryan