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On the pages that follow, we’re thrilled to present the winners of the fourth annual Hammy Awards, a readers-choice contest sponsored by The Smithfield Times. 

Since an initial outpouring of “Hammy Love” for the inaugural Hammy Awards in 2021, the contest’s popularity has exceeded our expectations, which were admittedly lofty. This year people from Isle of Wight and Surry cast nearly 53,000 votes in some 200 categories, selecting their favorite people, places, things and organizations. 

Though the Hammys are not a scientific survey, they are a fun way for our readers to sound off on everything they love about our community, expressing their sentiments through online nominations that took place over the summer. Once the nomination round closed, the top three nominees with the most votes became finalists in each category for the voting round. As with any popularity contest, you’ll disagree with some of the results, you’ll be surprised by some and find yourself nodding in agreement on many. 

The best way to show your favorite business your support, of course, is to continue giving them your business. After that, you can recommend your friends give them a shot, too. Our hometown merchants deserve your support. Meanwhile, we invite you to have a little fun while learning the winners of the fourth annual Hammy Awards.

We hope the Hammys will inspire you to get out and try businesses and places you’ve not experienced before. Who knows, you might just become a regular. Be sure to vote next year in the 2025 Hammy Awards. Stay tuned for details next spring. 

Enough suspense. Drumroll, please. The 2024 Hammy Award goes to …