News Flash

The “Best of Bayfield County” contest was created by the Tourism Department to promote businesses around the county as well as to give people visiting the area a short list of popular options that are favored by many. The survey allowed participants to share their opinions about places that they have visited and experienced first-hand.

www.travelbayfieldcounty.com

The survey asked respondents to choose their favorites in 14 different categories. Following each category was an open-ended question that gave the participants the opportunity to fill in their vote as well as any other comments. The survey was shared on social media and on Bayfield County Tourism’s website. Out of the 248 responses collected, the winners were chosen based on a majority rule. The winners were presented with an award certificate that they can display at their business and will be promoted in the visitor guide and on . 

After the awards were presented to the contest winners, we decided to gain an insider’s look at how this award will be used by businesses around the county. To some, it was a repeat win, but to others it was a first. This was the case for This Old Bunkhouse in Iron River, Wisconsin. We got the chance to talk to them and ask them about this accomplishment. Shop owner Cindy Kowalik said that she already has the plaque on the wall, but has yet to put into motion some advertising techniques. She wants to include it on her Facebook page once the holiday season is over in order to get the best recognition from her followers. Cindy was very excited and honored to have received this award.

Ellen Hauser from Hauser’s Superior View Farm in Bayfield, Wisconsin claims that this award reflects their employees’ hard work and the dedication of their customers, whether visitors or local. “We are really proud of the fact that our customers voted for us.” Ellen wants to thank her customers as well as her staff. She states that she believes customers are “getting an experience here, that we are friendly and down to earth...” As for marketing techniques, she has the award on display in the Hauser’s retail store, it is already on Facebook, and she plans to put it on their website as well. Ellen is in the process of making brochures for next season, and she would like to include their title somewhere in those as well.

Here is a list of the 2017-18 Best of Bayfield County contest winners:

Best Bakery                Café Coco

Best Beach                 Bayview/Friendly Valley

Best Bloody Mary       Top O’ the Morn Resort & Campground

Best Burger                 Patsy’s Bar & Grill

Best Campground       Top O’ the Morn Resort & Campground

Best Fish Fry               Patsy’s Bar & Grill

Best Gift Shop             This Old Bunkhouse

Best Ice Cream           The Candy Shoppe

Best Live Music           Big Top Chautauqua

Best Lodging               Top O’ the Morn Resort & Campground

Best Museum              Washburn Area Historical Society Museum

Best Orchard               Hauser’s Superior View Farm

Best Pizza                   DaLou’s Bistro

Best Restaurant          Delta Diner

Above: The Washburn Area Historical Museum is located on the 2^nd floor of the Washburn Cultural Center.

Links to the 2017 winners can be found at: https://www.bayfieldcounty.org/809/Best-of-Bayfield-County

For more information on the business and activities in the area, visit the Bayfield County Tourism Facebook page or go to www.travelbayfieldcounty.com.