The Readers’ Choice Awards will take center stage at the Penn Theater on Thursday, March 12. A 56-page section inside today’s Butler Eagle highlights the three winners in each category as voted on by our readers.

This is the first year the Eagle will recognize the winners of the annual Readers’ Choice in person, creating an opportunity to not only honor the top vote-getter, but also let others experience them in their award-winning categories.

The best of Butler County will convene at the Penn Theater at 5:30 p.m., with live music from Skye Burkett and The Pulse and food samples from several award-winning restaurants.

The Butler Eagle prints its annual Readers’ Choice Awards ballots in January, asking readers to pick their favorite business or group in categories including favorite brunch spot, favorite local band, favorite jewelry store, favorite toy store and more. The winners were determined by nearly 47,000 votes in just under 200 categories.

The top three vote-earners in each category normally earn a certificate for a gold, silver or bronze award. This year is different. Gold winners who attend the event will receive a plaque recognizing them as the best of the best. All of the award winners are invited to commemorate their accomplishment.

At the inaugural Readers’ Choice Awards at the Penn Theater, some of the award-winning skills will be on display. For example, the Beacon Hotel will provide chicken wings and Pennie’s Bake Shop will provide sweets.

For more information on the event, or to purchase advance tickets, visit thepenntheater.org.