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Now more than ever, it’s important that we acknowledge the best of the best here in Columbus: Those who are feeding the hungry, showing community passion in their art and city pride in their athletics.
Best of the Bus is CityScene Magazine’s Annual Reader survey. You nominated. You voted. Now, here are the results!
Thank you to all the participants and winners. You truly make Columbus better, which is why you’re the best. We hope this isn’t your final curtain call, but for now, take a bow.
People & Philanthropy
Best Face of Columbus
Photo courtesy of the Ohio Public Health Department
This year, the Face of Columbus is masked. Dr. Amy Acton made quite the impact on the community with her work through the quarantine order. As the director of the Ohio Department of Health, she has bravely led Ohio through the COVID-19 pandemic. Through tough decisions, resistance and chaos, she has made us proud to be #ColumbusStrong.
Best Volunteer Experience
Amidst the pandemic, Mid-Ohio Foodbank was working tirelessly to provide meals during a time when it was essential for a lot of families. During the first few months of the COVID-19 outbreak, the increase in demand heightened. By March, the Foodbank had donated 6 million pounds of food.
Previously, the Foodbank was set up so people could come in and shop for what they liked, so operations had to change quickly. Volunteers quickly transitioned to a no-touch, drive-thru model. It’s just one of the ways the Foodbank is working to stay open and stay healthy.
Best Charitable Gala
Photo courtesy of The Columbus Museum of Art/Wonderball
Wonderball, Columbus Museum of Art
Health & Fitness
Best Gym
Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club
Best Nature Trail
Old Man’s Cave at Hocking Hills State Park
COVID-19 update: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) plans to reopen most of the currently closed areas of Hocking Hills State Park, including the campground, cabins, and Old Man’s Cave July 4. Currently, Rock House, Cantwell Cliffs and several areas of the Hocking Hills State Forest are open. Check website for more info.
Best Spa
RELAX. Votes flooded in again this year for Woodhouse Day Spa in the Best Spa category, resulting in their seventh win! Go slip into one of their luxury robes, bask in the special Quiet Room and enjoy the most tranquil experience central Ohio has to offer – you deserve it!
Best Fitness Event
The Arnold Sports Festival was one of the first major events to be affected by COVID-19. As one of the most anticipated events in the city, this was devastating. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger agreed with Gov. DeWine’s decision, taking visitors’ and participants’ health seriously by altering the event. Athletes still competed, though the exhibition was closed to the public. Schwarzenegger promised the show is merely postponed, and will take place later in 2020.
Photo courtesy of Hafthor Bjornsson Facebook
Hafthor Bjornsson of Iceland – also known outside of athletic circles as Game of Thrones’ Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane – won the Arnold Strongman Classic title for the third year in a row.
CS: How did it feel winning again this year?
HB: It felt absolutely amazing. I’m the second athlete in the history of the Arnold to win three years back to back, so it was a wonderful experience and accomplishment for me.
CS: What was the competition like due to the lack of spectators?
HB: It was quite different without the usual crowd. However, the organizers of the event did a great job setting up the seating area, and with all the athletes still competing, we still had a great crowd cheering us on!
Visual & Performing Arts
Best New Exhibit
Photo courtesy of COSI
The choice for the Best New Exhibit was child’s play. The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited awed all of Columbus when it arrived at COSI.
Best Urban Art Gallery
Best Suburban Art Gallery
The Dublin Arts Council never wavers in its mission to better the community with creativity and compassion. During quarantine, the organization urged art-goers to take the Art in Public Places cell phone tour and even made some of its exhibits, such as Rod Bouc: Earth and Sky, virtual.
Best Public Art Display
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wilson Director of Marketing & Communications
The 2020 Best Public Art Display was a natural fit. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is one of Columbus’s most breathtaking spots, with art that can only be created by expert green thumbs and Mother Nature herself.
Best Theater Troupe
Shadowbox Live went… well, live. The theater troupe remained vigilant in giving fans archived performances online, posting daily on social media. Metaperformer David Whitehouse went live online to share Shadowbox’s signature drink, The Freak. Metaperformer Ashley Davis took a video of her new quarantine hobby: bees. The entertainment and constant encouragement of the arts helped this troupe take first place.
Best Dance Troupe
Best Local Musician
Angela Perley and the Howlin’ Moons
Best Venue
In June 2020, the Ohio Theatre was one of the businesses damaged by vandals during protests Downtown. CAPA and the Greater Columbus Arts Council launched the #ArtUnitesCbus initiative, employing local visual artists to paint murals on the plywood installed over the theater’s broken windows.
“Our city and our nation must address the serious issues of inequality and injustice that continue to plague our society. While these murals don’t solve those issues, this is an opportunity to spark hope and light in our community while we work toward much needed change,” says CAPA President and CEO Chad Whittington. “The arts bring the community together and this is our way of doing that while the Ohio Theatre is closed and under repair.”
Festivals & Series
Best 2019-20 Arts Performance
Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy
Les Miserables, Broadway in Columbus
Best 2019-20 Concert
Photo courtesy Alex Malka
This show will go on (and on) as the season’s favorite performance. Celine Dion’s appearance at the Schottenstein Center was the most talked-about event for months and months.
Best Summer Concert Series
It was a close race this year. The Jazz and Rib Fest won out, with the Columbus Food Truck Festival coming in a close second.
Best Suburban Festival
Best Columbus Festival
The virtual Columbus Arts Fest In Place was a success! Thanks to everyone at the Greater Columbus Arts Council for putting on a great event.
Courtesy of Columbus Arts Festival
Best Sporting Event Experience
The Ohio State University Football
OSU Athletes Drafted in 2020
Damon Arnette — Las Vegas Raiders
Rashod Berry — New England Patriots
Branden Bowen — Carolina Panthers
Photo courtesy of Ohio State Dept. of Athletics.
Chase Young
Jashon Cornell — Detroit Lions
J.K. Dobbins — Baltimore Ravens
Jordan Fuller — Los Angeles Rams
DaVon Hamilton — Jacksonville Jaguars
Malik Harrison — Baltimore Ravens
K.J. Hill — Los Angeles Chargers
Jonah Jackson — Detroit Lions
Austin Mack — New York Giants
Liam McCullough — Las Vegas Raiders
Jeff Okudah — Detroit LionsBinjimen Victor — New York Giants
Chase Young — Washington Redskins
Best Drink-Themed Festival
Heart of Grove City Wine & Arts Festival
Best Food-Themed Festival
Experience & Style
Best Farmers’ Market
The Grove City Farmers Market impressed the rest with peaches, homemade jellies and sweet corn on the cob. It’s not a surprise that the market has been around for over 25 years.
Photo courtesy of Grove City Farmers Market
An honorable mention has to be the Worthington Farmers Market, for its transition into a contact-free drive-thru experience. The market encouraged shoppers to preorder from vendors online and then pick up their goods the day of!
Best Local Tour
Best Spot to Spend New Year’s Eve
Home
We’ve never had so many people vote to stay home in this category! Wonder why.
Best Weekend Getaway
For an update on trail openings, visit this link!
Best Boutique
Best Fashion Event
Designer: Ariel Rapier
Eat & Drink
Best New Restaurant
Photo courtesy of Katzinger’s Deli
Two votes separated first and second place for Best New Restaurant. The new Katzinger’s Delicatessen location in Dublin won by a pickle’s length, with Bridge Park’s Urban Meyer’s Pint House close behind.
Best Hometown Product
Photo courtesy of Jeni’s Ice Creamery
A new lineup of specially-curated "Social Distancing" Collections were created when quarantine had Columbus residents a little sour.
Best Coffee Shop
Fox in the Snow Café’s new New Albany location may have contributed to its No. 1 spot this year.
Best Local Pizzeria
Grove City represents this category, with Tammy’s Pizza and Zamarelli’s Pizza Palace too
Tammy’s
close to call. Taste both on the Grove City Pizza Trek, a guide through the cheesiest, sauciest, meatiest pies in the area.
Best Steakhouse
Last year, Jeff Ruby’s tied... this year, there’s no one on their flanks.
Photo courtesy of Mark A. Steele
Best Bakery
1 of 2
2 of 2
Best Brunch
Best Happy Hour
Owner Jodi Borrough’s favorite go-to Happy Hour drinks are the Happy Hour Mojito or a margarita!
Best Catering
Cameron Mitchell Premier Events
Best Outdoor Dining
Best Food Truck Menu
Best Healthful Dining
Remember when Brassica won its spot among the best in our 2019 Food Fight?
Best Brewery
Best Winery
Best Retail Wine Selection
Best Retail Beer Selection
Reader’s Choice
Mallory Arnold is an editor. Feedback welcome at marnold@cityscenemediagroup.com.
