What are The Cascades Best Awards? Vote now to support local businesses
You may have noticed some of your favorite local businesses posting on social media recently, asking for your votes in the Cascades Best Awards. So, what is that about?
The annual competition, put on by The Bellingham Herald and Nerus Strategies LLC, seeks to recognize local businesses and individuals from a variety of categories — from breweries and bakeries to child care, schools, dentists, bookstores and more.
After voting ends, winners are announced in an annual online magazine and guide to the area. Each category has three winners: bronze for third place, silver for second, and gold for the winner.
Last year, Cascades Best Awards featured 3,250 businesses and individuals across 205 categories.
“Our readers and residents are proud of the communities they live in and know the area best. That is why The Bellingham Herald set out to deliver a ‘best of’ program to help the community and support Northwest Washington area businesses,” the 2025 Cascades Best magazine states.
More than 84,000 votes were cast in last year’s competition.
“We could not be prouder to salute and pay tribute to the great businesses that were voted the best in their individual categories. Thank you to all the folks who took the time to vote. We encourage you to explore CascadesBest.com and engage with our winners. Some may be familiar, and some may be new to you. All will welcome your business. Please make sure to congratulate them for being voted Cascade’s Best,” the awards’ website states.
Voting is open now through 5 p.m. Friday, April 3 at the Cascades Best Awards website. Winners will be announced June 28.
Cascades Best Award Winners from last year are available online, and feature local businesses such as The Birch Door Cafe, Lairmont Manor, Bellewood Farms & Distillery, Union Barber Co. and many more.
