Humle Beer House, which won Best Beverages, received the most overall votes in this year’s competition. Photo courtesy of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - More than 300 business owners, community leaders and residents filled the Citrus Heights Event Center on Aug. 20 as the city’s business community marked the 20th annual Best of Citrus Heights Awards, recognizing 50 first-place winners chosen through more than 9,500 public votes.

Hosted by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce, the sold-out “Boots & Bling” celebration featured live music by Shane Q, a barbecue dinner provided by Randy Peters Catering, door prizes and the announcement of winners across categories ranging from restaurants and retail to health care, education and public services.

“This is my favorite event because it is a community event for the community. They get the say on who wins,” Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick said. “I want to thank everyone who came out, especially all the leaders in our community taking time out of their day to celebrate our businesses.”

Humle Beer House, which won Best Beverages, received the most overall votes in this year’s competition.

Best Quick Service Food Services went to Beach Hut Deli. Photo courtesy of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce

In total, 4,173 voters cast more than 9,500 votes among 347 contenders in 50 categories. Voting was open July 1 through July 31 with more than 1,000 votes cast during the final two days. During the final two days, when the website “went dark,” rankings were hidden from the public while voting remained open, keeping the final standings unknown until the awards program.

“These businesses are making it happen for our community in Citrus Heights,” emcee Anthony Avery said.

The annual competition includes nomination and voting safeguards intended to limit duplicate participation. Chamber members were automatically nominated, while nonmember businesses needed at least three separate community nominations to qualify for the ballot. Participants were limited to one nomination and one vote per category, with IP monitoring and duplicate-detection software used during the process.

Among the first-place winners were SAFE Credit Union for Best Banking/Financial Institution, the Citrus Heights Police Department for Best Government Services, San Juan Unified School District for Best Education, Schools & Training, Citrus Heights Water District for Best Utilities & Services and Republic Services for Best Waste Collection Services.

Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick (left) stands alongside Bar Sponsor Assemblyman Josh Hoover. Photo courtesy of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce

Other winners included R Vida Cantina for Best Restaurant, Leatherby’s Family Creamery for Best Dessert, Grocery Outlet Greenback Lane for Best Grocery, Club Studio Fitness for Best Gym, River City Chiropractic for Best Health & Wellness, Aquarium & Reptile Depot for Best Retail and Citrus Heights Sentinel for Best Publication.

First-place honors also went to 5 Star Accounting & Business Solutions for Best Accounting & Tax Services, Miller’s Ace Hardware for Best Business Services, Almond Orchard Dental Care for Best Dentist or Orthodontics, Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center for Best Medical Facility, Sactown Real Estate for Best Residential/Commercial Real Estate and Sylvan Corners Pet Hospital for Best Veterinarian and Pet Services.

The evening also served as a fundraiser for Silver Wishes, a nonprofit organization that grants one-time wishes to adults 65 and older who are facing physical, emotional, financial or other hardships.

Fundraising included a dessert run in which tables donated money for the chance to select desserts first. The highest-contributing tables were given first access to the dessert table, and the top two tables also received an additional door-prize ticket for each person seated at the table.

House to Home Moving was crowned Best Service Provider during the 2026 Best of Citrus Heights event on Aug. 20. Photo courtesy of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce

Every attendee received a ticket for the event’s door-prize drawing with prizes including a tailgate setup valued at $1,000 from Miller’s Ace Hardware and jewelry valued at $2,500 from Sharif Fine Jewelers.

Republic Services served as the title sponsor while Dignity Health served as presenting sponsor. The event also included superstar, photo booth, co-star, table and media sponsors, with Messenger Publishing Group among those.

The awards program ran from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Citrus Heights Event Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive.

The Best of Citrus Heights program has now reached two decades of recognizing local businesses, organizations and service providers through community voting.

“We are already looking forward to next year,” the Chamber said.