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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
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OK all, the votes are in, and the ballots are (almost) counted. There are perennial winners, and there are big surprises, in our annual readers’ poll on the best businesses, people, arts and culture in and near the city. The big issue will be out on Jan. 22 (on streets Jan. 21) with all the winners, and the huge Best-of bash will be Sunday, Jan. 25. Per usual, the first half will be invitation-only, and the party will open to the public at 8 p.m. No cover, of course. Where will it be? Well, that’s a closely guarded secret that we release when the invitations go out, which will be soon. So start planning your outfit—you know, something Monopolistic, or not—and lining up your date.

Meantime, now that a record number of you have voted, y’all can help us plan next year’s Best of Jackson competition starting right now; just click over to this Jackpedia page and suggest new categories for next year. Voting time will be here before you know. While you’re over there, read up on past winners.

Happy Best of Jackson month, all.

Previous Comments

This is my favorite party of the year. Monopolistic? Challenging my fashion skills, eh? I get the concept, but I’m not really getting a fashion visual.

#142688 | Author: caroline | Date: Jan 6 2009

looking forward to it!

#142780 | Author: Queen601 | Date: Jan 8 2009

Queen, I went for the first time last year, and I had a great time.

#142781 | Author: LatashaWillis | Date: Jan 8 2009

We’re close to announcing the BOJ party location. If you’ve heard whispers already, shhhhhhh. Hint: It’s not at Fire, it doesn’t cost $20 to get in (or a penny), and there isn’t a country band. 😉

#142782 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Jan 8 2009

Why the secrecy D-Ladd? I can hold a secret…I promise…you can tell me! Or, maybe I know already!

#142787 | Author: Queen601 | Date: Jan 8 2009

I just want more details on what to wear. Should a be a shoe or a car? haha

#142789 | Author: caroline | Date: Jan 8 2009

… or a tycoon!?! We had this conversation yesterday … some want to wear striped jumpsuits. There is that. 😉

#142791 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Jan 8 2009

I’ll just wait until the night of to plan an outfit….that seems to be working for me these days.

#142798 | Author: Queen601 | Date: Jan 9 2009

Founding Editor Donna Ladd is a writer, journalist and editor from Philadelphia, Miss., a graduate of Mississippi State University and later the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, where she was an alumni award recipient in 2021. She writes about racism/whiteness, poverty, gender, violence, journalism and the criminal justice system. She contributes long-form features and essays to The Guardian when she has time, and was the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Jackson Free Press. She co-founded the statewide nonprofit Mississippi Free Press with Kimberly Griffin in March 2020, and the Mississippi Business Journal named her one of the state's top CEOs in 2024. Read more at donnaladd.com, follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @donnerkay and email her at donna@mississippifreepress.org.