With more than 150,000 nominations made in Gulf Coast Media's Best of Baldwin 2023 contest, the first elimination round is complete.

Top 5 finalists have been named and released for the annual readers choice contest. Beginning Oct. 19, users can vote once per day in more than 400 categories to make sure their favorite finalist gets crowned the Best of Baldwin.

From local businesses to restaurants, from teachers and actors to doctors and musicians, Best of Baldwin is the largest one-stop shop for finding out who and what is peer-supported around the state's largest county.

Once open, the contest will remain in the final voting period through Nov. 16. A subscription is not necessary to be a finalist, vote or win. Winners who receive the most votes in each category will be celebrated at Best of Baldwin: The Red-Carpet Event, which will be held Feb. 2 at Orange Beach Event Center. Winners will receive a free plaque and window cling to display their win throughout the year, and they will also be listed on the winners' website at www.gulfcoastmedia.com/bestof.

That site is where voting will take place. It is also where businesses, events and individuals who have made it to the finalist round can download a free promotional package and "vote for us" graphics.

To promote your nomination as a finalist even further to make sure you're at the forefront of voters minds, reach out to your sales representative or email promotions@gulfcoastmedia.com for more information.