The third annual Best of West Hartford award show will be held on Sept. 27, 2017, at Cinépolis Theaters in Blue Back Square.

By Ronni Newton

Winners of this year’s Best of West Hartford contest will be all smiles as their names are announced on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the annual awards show, but there will be plenty of excitement throughout the evening for everyone else who attends the event at the Cinépolis Theater in Blue Back Square.

The venue and format has been changed this year, and thanks to Blue Back Square Marketing Director Elizabeth Zigmont, Cinépolis has offered their lobby and a theater for the event, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is providing a generous array of heavy hors d’oeuvres for guests to enjoy.

The entire event will provide plenty of opportunity for socializing and networking – as well as eating, drinking, and celebrating West Hartford’s favorite businesses as decided by voters from the community.

The evening will kick off at 5:30 p.m., as guests stroll down the red carpet from South Main Street to the front doors of Cinépolis Theaters. 

A glass of champagne in hand, guests will mingle during the 30-minute reception that precedes the awards show. Raffle tickets for baskets generously donated by West Hartford’s business associations and other local companies will be offered for sale, and roving magician Charlie Hayden will provide entertainment.

There will also be a putting green for guests to enjoy courtesy of GOLFTEC and guests can pose at the step and repeat for Snapbooth photos specially-designed for social media sharing (#bowh2017).

A warm-up act for the awards show will begin in the theater at 6 p.m., with comedians Steven Fischman (aka West Hartford orthodontist Dr. Fischman) and Paul Gregory performing in tandem.

NBC Connecticut anchor Kerri-Lee Mayland will serve as emcee, and will announce the finalists in 36 of the local categories. The privilege of announcing the winners belongs to West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor.

As the awards portion comes to an end but before guests return to the lobby for food and drink, 2016 American Beatbox Champion Mark Martin, a West Hartford native, will give a special performance in the theater.

Back in the lobby, the event will last until 8:30 p.m., offering guests a chance to socialize and network while enjoying a menu from Flemings that includes mini jumbo lump crab cakes, housemade BBQ prime rib sliders, ahi tuna tartare, Fleming’s cheese puffs, filet mignon flatbread, smoked salmon crostini, and caprese kabobs.

All guests will be given one complimentary drink ticket, and will have the opportunity to purchase additional beverages from Two Pour Guys.

Best of West Hartford 2017 is proud to partner with the Junior League of Hartford for this event, and will donate a portion of proceeds to the organization which will in turn support its collaboration with Junior Achievement of Southwest New England.

Seating is limited and tickets are available online on We-Ha.com. Individual tickets are $48 each, and tickets purchased in groups of four are available for $35 each.

Watch We-Ha.com for further updates and news about this event.

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