The Daily News is excited to announce its first annual “Reader’s Choice” awards contest.

Throughout the month of August, we will be publishing a ballot where you will have the opportunity to vote on your favorite food, people and services in Washington Parish. All you have to do is write the name of your nomination on the line next to the categories you wish to vote, and then turn in the ballot by either bringing it to our office or mailing it.

To keep the contest fair, we are asking that only original ballots on newsprint be submitted, but you can turn in as many ballots as you’d like.

The winners will be published in a special section in September, and you’ve got until Sept. 1 to get your ballots in.

This is a great opportunity to show your thanks to those businesses and workers who go the extra mile every day, even when nobody seems to notice or recognize their efforts.

Today’s ballot is printed on Page 9A.