Becca Does Best Of, and So Can You

If you’re a frequent Instagram-mer, hopefully you follow the Memphis Flyer (@memphisflyer), and maybe you’ve noticed recent posts related to the annual Best Of Memphis issue, hashtagged with the super-catchy phrase “#beccadoesbestof.”

Hey, I’m Becca.

• And have you met the Memphis Flyer truck?

As a marketing intern for the Memphis Flyer, I’ve spent an abundance of time researching the history of the Best Of Memphis poll, which began in February 1994 (making this the 19th year!). While all of Memphis is dripping with history, I found, so is the Flyer’s annual Best Of Memphis competition. It is truly amazing to see the categories throughout the years that didn’t make it – such as “Best Place to Celebrate Divorce” (1994), “Best Place to Use Your Dog as a Chick/Dude Magnet” (1996) and “Best Place to Cure a Hangover” (1996).

Remembering strange categories: The Pyramid was voted “Best Eyesore” and “Best Architecture” for both 1997 and 1998.

There are many winners that have been voted “Best Of Memphis” the entire run of the competition, and these winners and Memphis have undeniable chemistry. Some have even celebrated seventeen, eighteen, or nineteen years of Best Of stardom.

• Joe Birch has been awarded “Best TV Anchor” since the start of the competition in 1994.

• Dave Brown was voted “Best Weatherperson” every year since 1995. Awards not pictured: Jarvis Greer is also a dominating winner with “Best Sportscaster” since 1997.

For the past three weeks doing “Becca Does Best of” (so catchy, right?), I have also thoroughly enjoyed coming up with some silly categories of my own, for example: the Peabody Ducks are clearly the Best Ducks Around, and Beale Street is the Best Place to Legally Beat Open-Container Laws.

• The Peabody attracts many viewers daily to see the ducks walk the red carpet.

• It is perfectly legal to carry an open container of alcohol on Beale Street.

Check out these and more interesting categories and pictures on Memphis Flyer’s Instagram, @memphisflyer/ #bestofmemphis. And while I continue to revisit the history of the annual competition, be sure to cast your vote for the 2013 Best of Memphis using the online ballot now until July 28th!