Best of Aylmer Readers’ Choice award: an awards gala for all

Aylmer will celebrat its best at the Best of Aylmer Readers’ Choice Awards Gala at the Gatineau Golf Club, April 30. 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 is always popular.

Hosted by the Bulletin d’Aylmer, the voting and event honours organizations, businesses and individuals garnering top votes. 

]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 voting and campaign are even more popular this year than ever before, “When we started the Best of Aylmer Readers’ Choice Awards seven 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 highlight an unbiased opinion.” Seven 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. 

At last year’s gala, there 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 were lauded with a roar of applause.

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

The vote continues in print and on the website.