ANNA MARIA ISLAND (FOX 13) - Anna Maria Island could win the title of “Happiest Seaside Town in 2018.”
The barrier island just needs enough votes in Coastal Living’s annual competition across America. Anna Maria Island has been nominated as one of the top 10.
The final beach communities were chosen after Coastal Living called for nominations though social media. From there, they looked at the rankings on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, percentage of clear and sunny days, beach healthiness, commute times, walkability, crime ratings and more. Previous winners were not eligible.
Anna Maria Island is battling for the number one spot against:
Traverse City, Michigan
Ocean City, New Jersey
Vero Beach, Florida
Cape Charles, Virginia
Bluffton, South Carolina
Bellport, New York
Hampton, New Hampshire
Cambria, California
Cannon Beach, Oregon
You can vote once per minute until 5 p.m. EST on February 6. The final rankings will be revealed online Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Results will remain hidden in the final three days of voting, beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 3.