Businesspeople, volunteers and community leaders from across Whidbey Island celebrated their accomplishments at the Whidbey News Group’s Best of Whidbey banquet Friday.

It was the first Best of Whidbey evening event, said Whidbey News Group Executive Editor and Publisher Keven Graves. “The response was overwhelmingly positive from the attendees.”

The room was decked out in purple — decorated with a plethora of balloons and live beta fish on tables.

Associate Publisher Kim Win-jum and Assistant Ad Manager Teri Mendiola were in charge of organizing the banquet.

“Kim and Teri did an amazing job, and made it an evening everyone will remember,” Graves said. “The entire staff helped make it a special evening.”

Newspaper readers cast their votes each year for “the best” in a variety of categories.

Margaret Livermore was called to the stage a few times. She was voted “best artist” and accepted the award for the Penn Cove Gallery, named the “best art gallery.” In addition, she was with a group of animated folks with the Oak Harbor Music Festival who took the stage for the “best event or festival” award.

Owners of El Cazador restaurant in Oak Harbor took awards for “best family restaurant” and “best Mexican restaurant.”

Larry and Tina Provoncha also got a lot of love from the community. Trooper Larry Provoncha was voted “best law enforcement officer.” Tina Provoncha was chosen as “best real estate agent.”

Bubba Burgers in Freeland was a surprise winner in the “best burger” category. Pickles Deli in Freeland again won “best deli sandwich.”

Best Chef Scott Fraser was also named “best community volunteer” for running Oak Harbor Pigfest, a popular and delicious event that raises money for charities. His restaurant, Frasers Gourmet Hideaway, was voted “best fine dining establishment.”

Sarah Fraser was named as the “best waitperson.”

Readers voted Dan Ollis, owner of Whidbey Coffee, as the “business person of the year.”

Island County Commissioner Jill Johnson was named “best community leader.”

Attorney Chris Skinner paid a humorous and heartfelt tribute to former Oak Harbor Mayor Al Koetje, who was teary eyed as he received the 2016 Publisher’s Choice Lifetime Achievement Award.