Guests attending the 2019 Drive to be the Best 2019 annual awards ceremony on Septy. 11 at Vinegar Hill Music Theater in Arundel were entertained by the music of Michael Corleto, himself a Drive to be the Best 2019 Gold winner. SUBMITTED PHOTO
ARUNDEL — More than 250 attended the 2019 Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce’s DRIVE to be the Best 2019 annual awards night held at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre on Sept. 11 in Arundel.
Drive to Be the Best was created to be a celebration of the best this community has to offer, offering the Chamber’s traditional eight top awards, flanked by 67 “Drive to Be the Best” awards decided by community vote.
Under the tent, guests feasted on savory and sweet bites donated by 20 local restaurants and organizations, spearheaded by Chuck Neureuther of Destination Catering, while listening to live music from Lisa Mills and Ocean Ave, the 2019 Drive to be the Best 2019 Platinum winner. Sponsor Batson River Brewing & Distilling donated the beer and cocktails; other event sponsors included the Kennebunkport Resort Collection, the Nonantum Resort and Alisson’s.
Inside the Vinegar Hill barn, guests enjoyed the music of Michael Corleto (also the 2019 Drive to be the Best 2019 Gold winner) and cheered on award-winners and presentations created by Blake Baldwin of Video Creations. The 2019 award-winners were:
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Rococo Artisan Ice Cream
Best nightlife:
Platinum: Old Vines
Gold: Batson River
Best breakfast spot
Platinum: Mike’s American Diner AND Mike’s All Day Breakfast (tie)
Gold: Salt + Honey
Best outdoor dining spot
Platinum: Arundel Wharf
Gold: The Boathouse
Best cocktails
Platinum: Old Vines
Gold: Batson River
Best beer list
Platinum: Alisson’s
Gold: Federal Jack’s
Best spa/hair salon
Platinum: River’s Edge Spa
Gold:Cottage Breeze Day Spa
Best art gallery
Platinum: Maine Art Hill
Gold: Wendy Webster Good
Best cup of coffee
Platinum: Mornings in Paris
Gold: The Blue
Best ice cream
Platinum: Rococo
Gold: Arundel Ice Cream
Best lobster roll
Platinum: The Clam Shack
Gold: Alisson’s
Best bakery/baked goods
Platinum: Boulangerie
Gold: Mornings in Paris
Best shop/gift shop
Platinum: Daytrip Society
Gold: Cottage Designs
Best garage/auto services
Platinum: Guay’s Sunoco
Gold: Weirs
Best bank
Platinum: Kennebunk Savings
Gold: Camden National
Best fitness club/yoga spot
Platinum: Spurling Fitness
Gold: The Daily Sweat
Best landscaping service
Platinum: Terrapin
Gold: Avison Landscaping
Best real estate company
Platinum: Kennebunk Beach Realty
Gold: Pack Maynard
Best trails/walks
Platinum: Kennebunkport Conservation Trust trails
Gold: Eastern Trail
Best chowder
Platinum: Alisson’s
Gold: Pilot House
Best wedding venue
Platinum: Nonantum
Gold: Colony
Best golf course
Platinum: Cape Arundel
Gold: Webhannet
Best local publication
Platinum: Tourist & Town
Gold: York County Coast Star
Best happy hour
Platinum: Old Vines
Gold: Pedro’s
Best place to watch a game
Platinum: Alisson’s
Gold: Duffy’s
Best family activity
Platinum: Garden Street Bowl
Gold: Seashore Trolley Museum
Best place to watch the tree lighting
Platinum: Alisson’s
Gold: Kennebunkport Inn
Best kids’ birthday spot
Platinum: Garden Street Bowl
Gold: Seashore Trolley Museum
Best place to go for a first date
Platinum: Old Vines
Gold: Hurricane
Best spot for a romantic getaway
Platinum: Cape Arundel Inn
Gold: Hidden Pond
Best spot for a family stay
Platinum: Nonantum
Gold: Lodge on the Cove
Best local band/musician
Platinum: Lisa Mills
Gold: Michael Corleto
Best place to watch the fireworks
Platinum: The Colony Hotel
Gold: St. Ann’s
Best customer service
Platinum: Spurling Fitness
Gold: Kennebunk Savings
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