Visit Winona was able to gather the local community together Tuesday evening for its annual Visit Winona Tourism Award ceremony at Island City Brewing Company where it was open to anyone wanting to attend serving all attendees food, drinks, and some fond memories. People from all over the country with a variety of ties to Winona chose winners through thousands of online votes for two different awards: People’s Choice Award designated for an entity in the community that would be a destination for people to want to come to Winona for and the Hidden Gem Award for an entity that people likely didn’t know about previous to visiting Winona and experiencing it.
Bluff Country Co-op won Hidden Gem and is Winona’s community-owned, cooperatively-run grocery store and deli. For more than 50 years they’ve served as leaders in sustainable food, supporting local and organic farmers and producers. They continue to represent and promote food and environmental integrity, fair economic practices, and commitment to community.
Blue Heron Coffeehouse won People’s Choice opening in 1998, Blue Heron provided Winona with unique, quality food and coffee, using local, seasonal, and organic ingredients whenever possible. Now in a spacious building in downtown, they are a gathering space for local growers, artists, makers, and all people from every walk of life. They continue to offer quality, made-from-scratch food, sustainability, and community.
Visit Winona’s partnership committee also awarded Prairie Island Campground with the Partnership Excellence Award for connecting the community in the outdoors and attracting people who love being active and engaged with family and friends and, of course, that love camping. They also offer Winona the Campfire Concert Series and food truck events, environmental education programming, holiday activities, and even yoga.
Representatives of the three awards were able to take the stage for a great photo op but mostly to express their gratitude for their respective honors and just to say thank you to Winona for all the love and support!
