Welcome to our tenth annual "Best of Jackson" edition, celebrating the best that Jackson and its surrounding communities have to offer in terms of people, places, services and products. (And, yes, lots of food and drink.)

It's been our pleasure to serve up the Best of Jackson every year since we started the Jackson Free Press in 2002, via a reader poll that has grown steadily (almost unwieldy!) the past few years. And we're pleased to be able to put all of that together in the biggest single issue of the Jackson Free Press that we've ever published.

One thing I'd like to emphasize is this: Not only is Best of Jackson purely a reader poll (as opposed to editorial picks), but the way we've always done it is via an open ballot--meaning every vote is a "write-in" vote. So ... just being a finalist really is an accomplishment. It means voters manually typed or wrote in your name for that category, making a concerted effort to recognize you. They didn't just fill in bubbles or pick from a menu--they thought about it, chose your name and gave you the thumbs up. So even if you're not First Place, congratulations are certainly in order. (Not that First Place isn't a sweet victory!)

The other thing I'd like to highlight is how many readers we have to thank for voting each year. Not only does the total keep going up, but we know that the effort involved keeps going up, too. This year, we included more than 175 categories, even though we keep telling ourselves that we're going to cut them back! There are just some fantastic things to celebrate in Jackson, and we want as many people and places as possible to have an opportunity to be a part of it.

Of course, what we call "Best of Jackson season" wouldn't be complete without a party, and we've got what we hope will be a heck of a party planned. The location has been revealed to readers of the JFP Daily e-blast, as well as finalists in this year's contest. If you feel we've overlooked you, email us at [e-mail missing]. Thanks to Shannon Barbour for coordinating the event, Sales Assistant Marissa Lucas for putting together much of the food and logistics, and the venue folks--you know who you are!--for everything you've done as well. (More on all that in a week or two.)

Hats off, by the way, to staffers and freelancers who helped with this issue, with much of the in-house coordination done by Deputy Editor Briana Robinson, with off-site work on the assigning and writing of the issue by former editorial assistant ShaWanda Jacome. Also a salute to Kimberly Griffin, Adam Perry and Mandy Beach of the sales staff for working with so many advertisers in such a short time, and to Andrea Thomas for her (and her team's) valiant effort on the ad-design front. (A cocktail is, of course, owed to Art Director Kristin Brenemen who oversaw the entire design effort and Managing Editor Ronni Mott who always keeps the editorial trains running.)

One of the key elements of the Best of Jackson issue each year is the cover artwork, and our 10th Anniversary cover is particularly special: an original Tony Davenport painting. Evocative both of the past that we'll celebrating in Jackson and, hopefully, a bright future, we salute Tony for his dazzling work and his willingness to let us display it.

Looking back over the 10 years, I'm struck by any number of observations. The JFP itself has been a long-fought battle to turn a cause--great journalism--into a strong local business, and we continue to work on that all the time, having just finished our best year ever in 2011. Working in this business, you realize that the economy is still very challenged, and that it's tough to be a local business in today's marketplace. That's one reason why Best of Jackson can resonate so fully; it's another opportunity for the really good people and businesses out there to garner some more richly deserved attention.

Another change in these 10 years: all of the great food and dining options that Jackson has to offer. We've had a rich landscape of new restaurants in the past few years, and that's really something worth celebrating. Combined with some of the fabulous eateries and chefs who have been in the Best Of running for our first 10 years, it makes for an impressive line-up now that we're a decade into this thing.

Something that hasn't changed--just expanded--is the opportunity that Best of Jackson gives up to celebrate a thriving LOCAL scene when it comes to businesses in Jackson. In a town where Macaroni Grill and On the Border are sent packing, we're left with something much better--options like BRAVO!, Babalu, Amerigo, Walker's Drive-In, Parlor Market, Julep and many more. We've got fantastic restaurants with staying power, fabulous new offerings to up the ante and plenty of local flair that really make Jackson stand out.

I certainly encourage you to use this edition of the JFP as a guidebook for some of the great things (and people and places) that Jackson has to offer. Hold on to your copy, flip through it every so often and try something you haven't tried before. Check out all the museums, garden spots, music venues, stores, boutiques and attractions around town (and the state) that are mentioned, particularly if you haven't before. This is a perfect guidebook, written by Jacksonians, for exploring this wonderful city, even if you've lived here a long time.

We've got great things in store as we celebrate our first full decade of publishing and this, our first official "10th anniversary" event, including some revamping of the old (think "electronic presence") and some outright brand-new stuff in 2012. Hint: Bookmark http://www.bestofjackson.com for updates throughout the year ... and an opportunity to participate more than ever before in helping get out the word about all the great local stuff that Jackson has to offer.