(Readers Choice - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — The field for the 2024 Parkersburg News and Sentinel Readers’ Choice starts to narrow Friday.

That’s when voting begins to pare down the nearly 1,800 buffets, child care facilities, dental practices, bail bonding services, financial planning companies and more nominated by readers as the best in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Five nominees will emerge across 206 categories under the 10 main groups of Body and Soul, Entertainment and Travel, Food and Dining, Health, Homes and Gardens, Kids and Education, Pets, Services, Shopping and Vehicles.

“We appreciate the readers helping us honor the people and businesses that provide excellent services in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” News and Sentinel Publisher Jim Spanner said. “As you can see from the number of nominees, voters will have a lot of terrific options to consider.”

Votes can be cast online at www.newsandsentinel.com/readerschoice/. Readers can vote once per category per day up to Oct. 10.

Once the final five in each category is determined, another voting round will take place in November to choose the winner and two finalists. The winners and finalists will be announced in print and online in December.

Online voting is overseen by an independent third party.