CAMBRIDGE — The Dorchester Banner is partnering with her sister publications, the Salisbury Independent and the County Times, to introduce a new and exciting readers’ poll to honor their favorite businesses as the Stars of the Eastern Shore.

Publisher Darel La Prade announced the news at a recent staff meeting for the three publications, saying, “The start of a new decade is the perfect time to introduce this new event to our Eastern Shore community. We introduced the Stars franchise in Delaware several years ago and it has been very popular with readers and businesses alike. In fact, you can find the certificates on the walls of many of the businesses throughout Downstate Delaware.”

The Stars of the Eastern Shore will have three parts: a nomination phase, a voting phase and then the announcement of the winners in a keepsake booklet available in the Dorchester Banner, Salisbury Independent, County Times and online. Readers can nominate and vote with an easy-to-use online form or, if you prefer a paper ballot, that will available in the paper every week during the both the nominating and voting phases. The online ballot can be found at StarsofTheEasternShore.com.

Something else that’s exciting about the Stars of The Eastern Shore is a $250 prize. Anytime our readers complete a nomination ballot they will be entered to win a $250 prize. No purchase is necessary to win. The ballot must include nominations in 25 categories to be eligible to win this prize.

There is no limit on the number of times that one individual can fill out the nomination form. Plus, businesses and organizations can be nominated in approximately 200 categories. Nominations can be made through April 2.

Then, the voting phase starts on April 8, with the top nominees appearing on the ballot. Like with the nominating phase, readers can vote repeatedly for their favorite businesses listed on the voting ballot. Voting closes on April 30, and the keepsake booklet will announce the winners in early July.

Advertising director Konrad La Prade also shares in the excitement of the Stars of The Eastern Shore. “As we planned for the year ahead, launching the Stars of The Eastern Shore for 2020 was an easy decision,” he said. “We have already started talking to the local business community about this, and they are very excited. Plus, we have planned something that will truly honor our business partners.”

Any businesses interested in learning more about the marketing opportunities offered by this new event can contact marketing consultant Dave Cannon at 410-924-0321.

All nominations and voting for the Stars of The Eastern Shore can be done online at StarsofTheEasternShore.com or with the print ballot available in the paper during the nomination and voting phases.