BERLIN—The Town of Berlin is leading the pack of 15 finalist vying for bragging rights as “America’s Coolest Small Town” for 2014, in the contest sponsored BudgetTravel.com, but the competition is heating up the fluctuating vote count shows.
In just 24 hours, from Jan 20 to Jan. 21, Berlin’s percentage of the overall vote dropped from 26.8 percent to 25.3 percent. Economic Development Director Michael Day, pointed out, however, the dip was not caused because Berlin was losing favor. The other towns “are starting to wake up,” he said, and the uptick in counter voting is bringing down Berlin’s lead.
When the list of 15 finalists was tallied, Berlin had risen from third place to first. The town that wins the contest, Day said, claims bragging rights and national publicity. He said it seemed like every local newspaper was writing about it. Local television stations in the area are covering it, he added.
Among the finalists, as of Jan. 21, Berlin at 25.3 percent led the top 10 contestants: Buckhannon, W.Va. (21.6 percent); Matthews, Va. (16.7 percent); Travelers Rest, S.C. (10.8 percent); Deadwood, S.D. (5.5 percent); Rockport, Texas (5.4 percent); Estes Park, Co. (4.5 percent); Nevada city, Calif. (3.6 percent); Elkin, N.C. (2.8 percent); and Kelleys Island, Ohio (1.5 percent).
Participants can vote once a day until the contest closes at midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 25, according to the Web site’s sponsor. To vote go to, http://budgettravel.com/contest/vote-for-americas-coolest-small-town-2014,16/.
According to Day, even if Berlin comes in within the top three vote-getters without reaching number one, “We’ll will still use it.” But if it comes out as the overall winner? “That’s going out on the billboard on Route 50,” he said.
In just 24 hours, from Jan 20 to Jan. 21, Berlin’s percentage of the overall vote dropped from 26.8 percent to 25.3 percent. Economic Development Director Michael Day, pointed out, however, the dip was not caused because Berlin was losing favor. The other towns “are starting to wake up,” he said, and the uptick in counter voting is bringing down Berlin’s lead.
When the list of 15 finalists was tallied, Berlin had risen from third place to first. The town that wins the contest, Day said, claims bragging rights and national publicity. He said it seemed like every local newspaper was writing about it. Local television stations in the area are covering it, he added.
Among the finalists, as of Jan. 21, Berlin at 25.3 percent led the top 10 contestants: Buckhannon, W.Va. (21.6 percent); Matthews, Va. (16.7 percent); Travelers Rest, S.C. (10.8 percent); Deadwood, S.D. (5.5 percent); Rockport, Texas (5.4 percent); Estes Park, Co. (4.5 percent); Nevada city, Calif. (3.6 percent); Elkin, N.C. (2.8 percent); and Kelleys Island, Ohio (1.5 percent).
Participants can vote once a day until the contest closes at midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 25, according to the Web site’s sponsor. To vote go to, http://budgettravel.com/contest/vote-for-americas-coolest-small-town-2014,16/.
According to Day, even if Berlin comes in within the top three vote-getters without reaching number one, “We’ll will still use it.” But if it comes out as the overall winner? “That’s going out on the billboard on Route 50,” he said.