Nick Warren (Erie Reader)
Make that
11 one for each of the 10 years the Erie Reader has been in print (since 20
11), with a much-deserved bonus for our most recent jubilee. Almost exactly a year ago, we published our last regular biweekly print edition before COVID-19 rudely slapped the serving platter out of our hands and left us picking up the pieces. The theme of that publication, ironically, was The Food Issue, with 10 of Erie s Can t Miss Dishes as the main entree. The date that issue hit the stands March
11, 2020 was incidentally also the same day the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a global pandemic.
2020 Best of Erie Winners and Finalists Your favorite people, places, and things in the Erie area by Erie Reader Staff
Nick Warren / seohwa
Given the historic challenge of 2020, few could be blamed for not being at their best. In the context of COVID-19, sometimes doing your best was just hanging in there. But to transcend all that, to continue to be a superlative asset to this city and this community despite all those trials and tribulations? That deserves recognition and celebration sometimes in ways previously unthought
Your 2020 Best of Erie winners reflect this. With categories such as Culture & Nightlife and Food & Drink disproportionately affected by the pandemic, new subcategories were created while others have gone on temporary hiatus. Before 2020 could you have imagined voting for Erie s Best Alcoholic Slushie (Altered State Distillery) while live-streaming an award-winning Erie Playhouse