The 2016 Best of the Red Rock Area Awards have been announced.
Marion County Development Commission Director Carla Eysink tells KNIA/KRLS News businesses and organizations throughout the county were given awards in over 50 categories. In addition, special recognition was given to four top ten lists, including best events, foods, shopping, and activities. KNIA/KRLS was once again named the best local source of news in Marion County.
Food:
Best Salad – Applebee’s, Pella
Best Appetizer – Checkerboard Restaurant, Pleasantville
Best Pizza – George’s Pizza & Steakhouse, Pella
Best Cup of Coffee – Smokey Row Coffee Company, Pella
Best Ethnic Food – Kaldera Restaurant & Lounge, Pella
Best Steak – Monarchs Restaurant & Lounge, Pella
Best Burger – Culver’s, Pella
Best Breakfast – Windmill Café, Pella
Best Sweet Treat – Jaarsma Bakery, Pella
Best Tenderloin – Northcote Locker & Wholesale Meats, Melcher-Dallas
Best Buffet – Pizza Ranch, Pella
Best Caterer – Central College, Pella
Places:
Best Wedding Reception Venue – Central College, Pella
Best Conference Venue – Central College, Pella
Best Hotel – Country Inn & Suites, Pella
Best B & B, Guest House or Cabin – The Cheesemaker’s Inn, Pella
Best Place to Entertain Kids – Pella Aquatics Center, Pella
Best Place to Go On a Date – Peace Tree Brewing Company, Knoxville
Best Family Restaurant – Checkerboard Restaurant, Pleasantville
Best Bar or Pub – The Cellar Peanut Pub, Pella
Best Happy Hour – The Cellar Peanut Pub, Pella
Best Outdoor Eating Location – The Brew, Pella
Best Campground – Howell Station Recreation Area, Pella
Best Photo Opportunity Location-Molengracht Drawbridge, Pella
Best Historic or Rural Road Route for an Auto or Bike Ride-G-28 on the north shore of Lake Red Rock
Best Place for a Run-Volksweg Trail
Shopping:
Best Antique or Vintage Shop – Brick ‘n Mortar, Pella
Best Consignment or Thrift Store – Bibles for Missions Thrift Center, Pella
Best Gift Shop – Silver Lining, Pella
Best Place to Purchase Locally Made Items – Jaarsma Bakery, Pella
Best Retail Curb Appeal – Boat’s Home Furnishings, Pella
Best Shop for Clothing, Jewelry and/or Accessories – emBellish, Pella
Best Shop for Fresh Meats – In’t Veld’s Meat Market, Pella
Best Spa Services for a Mani/Pedi- Merle Norman, Pella
Best Place to Shop after 5 p.m.-The Santuary, Pella
Entertainment & Recreation:
Best Live Entertainment – Pella Opera House, Pella
Best Golf Course – Bos Landen Golf Club, Pella
Best Place to Workout – Anytime Fitness, Pella
Best Park – West Market Park, Pella
Best Local Performing Group-Pella High Marching Dutch, Pella
Best Historical/Cultural Experience-Pella Historical Village & Vermeer Mill, Pella
Community:
Best Local Source for News – KNIA/KRLS, Pella and Knoxville
Best Place to Work with more than 250 employees – Vermeer Corporation, Pella
Best Place to Work with 50-250 employees-LDJ Manufacturing, Pella
Best Place to Work with less than 50 employees – Lely, Pella
Best Service Business-Digital Galleria Designs, Pella
Best Real Estate Agency-Home Realty, Pella
Best Bank – Marion County Bank, Pella
Best New Community Project-Pella Sports Park, Pella
Best Business Supporter of Community Projects, more than 250 employees-Pella Corporation, Pella
Best Business Supporter of Community Projects, 50-250 employees-Precision Pulley & Idler, Pella
Best Business Supporter of Community Projects, less than 50 employees-Marion County Bank, Pella
Best Hospitality – In’t Veld’s Meat Market, Pella
Top 10 Events:
Marion County Fair-July
Pella Tour of Homes-December
4th of July Pleasantville-July
4th of July, Pella
Pella Fall Festival-September
Pleasantville Pig Out-June
Thursday Nights in Pella-Summer
Knoxville Sprint Car Nationals-August
Lake Red Rock Balloon Fest-July
Tulip Time Festival, Pella-#1
Top 10 Food & Drink Places:
Checkerboard Restaurant, Pleasantville
Peace Tree Brewing Company, Knoxville
Mango Tree, Pella
The Brew, Pella
George’s Pizza & Steakhouse, Pella
Monarchs Restaurant & Lounge, Pella
Smokey Row Coffee Company, Pella
Jaarsma Bakery, Pella
Kaldera Restaurant & Lounge, Pella
Opa’s Deli at In’t Veld’s Meat Market, Pella-#1
Top 10 Places to Shop:
Lee’s Hallmark, Pella
Boat’s Home Furnishings, Pella
Cornerstone, Pella
The Work of Our Hands, Pella
Brick ‘n Mortar Co., Pella
The Sanctuary, Pella
Best of Thymes, Pella
Simple Treasures, Pella
emBellish, Pella
Silver Lining, Pella-#1
Top 10 Things to Do:
Movies at Grand Theater, Knoxville
Performances at the Pella Opera House, Pella
Relax at North Overlook Beach, Lake Red Rock
Performances at the Knoxville Performing Arts Center, Knoxville
Climbing the Cordova Observation Tower
Racing at Slideways
Swimming at Pella Aquatics Center, Pella
Races at the Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville
Hiking the Volksweg Trail, Lake Red Rock/Pella
Touring the Vermeer Mill-#1