After a record-breaking total of more than 200,000 nominations, Gulf Coast Media readers and local residents now have a chance to crown the best in nearly 400 categories.

Final round voting opened Wednesday in Best of Baldwin 2024 at GulfCoastMedia.com/BestOf. Users can vote once per day for their favorite finalists until Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Finalists — the top five-most nominated in each category — outlasted thousands of additional nominees to reach the voting round.

"Being named a finalist is a tremendous honor to many people and businesses in our expansive county," Gulf Coast Media Publisher Vince Johnson said. "The contest continues to grow exponentially, and it's incredibly competitive — in a friendly way."

From best school mascot and best fried shrimp to best art gallery and best medical, automotive, professional, home and finance services, Best of Baldwin is a peer-reviewed celebration of all the great people, places and things you can find right here, whether you call this county home or need a guide while you're here on vacation.

No subscription to Gulf Coast Media is required to nominate, be nominated, vote or win, and the contest is free to everyone.

Finalists who receive the most votes will be celebrated at Best of Baldwin 2024: The Red Carpet Event at the Orange Beach Event Center on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Winners will also be featured in the annual Best of Baldwin glossy magazine, on the winners' website and will receive a free framed certificate and window cling.

For more information or to promote your nomination if you represent a finalist, email advertising@gulfcoastmedia.com.