It's Time to Put Ridgefield on the Map
The Columbian's Best of Clark County nominations are open right now — and this is our chance to make sure the businesses and people we love in Ridgefield get the recognition they deserve from the rest of the county.
Every year, The Columbian runs its Best of Clark County contest — one of the bigger community recognition events in the region, spanning over 160 categories from favorite restaurant to best local gym to top real estate agent. And every year, it's a reminder of just how much talented, dedicated, hardworking people are doing right here in our own backyard.
Nominations for 2026 are open now, and they close on May 8th. That's not a lot of runway. The top eight nominees in each category advance to the voting round, so the nomination phase actually matters — this is where smaller, community-rooted businesses can really make their presence felt if their neighbors show up for them.
The nomination phase is where community actually counts. Eight spots per category. A handful of motivated neighbors can make a real difference.
Ridgefield is growing fast — and with that growth comes more businesses, more services, and more reasons to stay local. But we're still a small town relative to Vancouver and Camas, which tend to dominate lists like these. The only way that changes is if we actually participate.
You don't have to vote in every single category. You don't have to know who the "best" of anything is across the whole county. You just have to think about the places you love in Ridgefield — the spots that make living here genuinely good — and put their names in.
How the Contest Works
Best of Clark County runs in two phases. First, nominations — happening right now. Anyone can nominate any Clark County business or person in any category. Write-ins are fully allowed, which means if your favorite local spot isn't already listed, you can add them.
- Now — May 8 Nominations open. Write in any Clark County business or individual. Top 8 per category advance.
- June 1 — June 19 Voting round opens. Only nominees who made the top 8 appear on the ballot.
- August 15, 2026 Winners announced in The Columbian's special publication and online.
One important thing: you do need to register with a verifiable email address to participate. It's a quick step, and it's how they keep things fair. After that, you can nominate in as many categories as you want, stop and come back, and change your nominations before the deadline.
Think About What You Actually Love Here
Categories span a huge range — restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, salons, real estate agents, doctors, dentists, contractors, nonprofits, schools, and more. If there's a local business or person who's made your life in Ridgefield better, there's probably a category for them.
And if there isn't a business already listed when you get to a category you care about? Write them in. That's the whole point of the write-in option. Once a write-in is verified by The Columbian, it appears on the ballot for everyone else to nominate too.
A few tips before you start
- Register first at columbian.com — you'll need a verifiable email address
- You can nominate in as many categories as you want, one nomination per category
- Write-in nominations are accepted — include the business address when you do
- You can save your progress and come back before May 8th
- You don't have to fill out every category to participate
Why This Actually Matters for a Small Town
Recognition in something like Best of Clark County has real value for local businesses. It brings in customers from other parts of the county who might not have heard of them otherwise. It gives small operators a moment of visibility they couldn't buy with an ad. And honestly, it just feels good to know your community sees you.
Ridgefield has no shortage of people doing genuinely excellent work — running tight, quality businesses, showing up for their neighbors, building something worth being proud of. The gap isn't talent or effort. It's just numbers. Larger cities have more people nominating, more votes in the pipeline. That's the only structural advantage they have.
Write-ins are open — and they count
If your favorite Ridgefield business isn't on the ballot yet, you can add them. Write-in nominations are fully supported during this phase. All you need is the business name and address. Once verified, they're live for the whole county to nominate.
More from Meanwhile in Ridgefield
- All local news from Ridgefield — stay current on what's happening in town
- Local guides — where to eat, shop, and explore in Ridgefield
