FALMOUTH — The red carpet was rolled out for the 2022 Cape Cod's Best of the Best reader's choice nominees and finalists at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel on Thursday night.

Sponsored by the Cape Cod Times, the gala celebrates businesses across the Cape, from barber shops to chiropractic clinics, shoe stores to yoga studios, marine and boat dealers to karaoke bars. About 300 of the Cape's top business professionals and their families and friends attended the event.

More than 8,000 readers cast their ballots for the best businesses in Beauty & Health, Dining, Entertainment & Leisure, Finance, Home & Home Services, Kids & Education, Pets, Services, Shopping, Spirits, Sports & Fitness, Top Employers, and Vehicle Dealers and Services.

Peter Schofield, vice president of sales and strategy for LOCALiQ, the Cape Cod Times and Gannett’s digital marketing and advertising service, said 128,000 total votes were cast for Cape businesses.

Dining: Where should you eat on Cape Cod? Ultimate food and drink guide

The event was a chance to recognize small and large businesses that provide an economic bedrock for Barnstable County. It was an opportunity to celebrate businesses that are established as well as those that are brand new, businesses providing traditional goods and services as well as those serving a niche audience.

Luke’s Super Liquors, with its six locations, and Sweet Izzy, a 350-square-foot, vegan, dairy and gluten-free ice cream shop in Harwich Port, had the same chances of winning awards in their respective categories. It was all up to the readers. They decided who they wanted to recognize for service, products, atmosphere, food, beverages, entertainment and more.

Katrina Kincade, the 2022 Miss Massachusetts and WBZ reporter, was the emcee for the event.

Winners received certificates and had their photographs taken with a glittering sign that read CCB (Cape Cod's Best) 2022. A special pull-out section with the names of all the winners will be in the Sunday edition of the Times.

Sweet Izzy owner Michael Doucette brought employees Daisy Weinberg and Caroline Esten to the awards ceremony. The young women were dressed to the nines, and happy to have their pictures taken after the ice cream shop was named best of the best in the vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free category.

The 2022 winners: Here's the list of Cape Cod's Best of the Best award winners

“Customers ask, ‘This is ice cream, right?’” Doucette said, adding the company is doing well going into its second year.

Luke’s also walked away with a Cape Cod's Best award in the Spirit category. It's the company’s third win in the last four years.

Contact Denise Coffey at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DeniseCoffeyCCT. 

Gain access to premium Cape Cod Times content by subscribing.  

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod's Best awards based on reader votes recognize top businesses