Sandusky battles for USA Today's 10 Best

SANDUSKY — Sandusky is in a neck-and-neck contest to reclaim its title as the Best Coastal Small Town in a nationwide contest. As of midday Monday, the city was ranked second in the Best Coastal Small Town contest, hosted by USA Today in its 10Best series of contests. Sandusky, which won the title for the first time in 2019, currently trails to Stuart, Florida. Sandusky is also up for the Best Midwestern Small Town contest — the first time it's been in the running for that title — and currently sits in the middle of the pack, in fifth. Community members believe that Sandusky deserves a second win, adding that the city continues to show progress. Interim city manager John Orzech encourages all residents and visitors to show their love and appreciation for Sandusky by voting. Another win "would solidify our importance and relevance in the country," Orzech said. Sandusky city communications manager Tom Horsman said he's seen many positive changes to the community since Sandusky won in 2019 and believes another victory will continue that path. "It brought us a lot of well–deserved publicity, and, since the win, we have done a lot as a community," Horsman said. "We rebuilt the Jackson Street Pier and renovated Shoreline Drive, among other things, to help Sandusky continue to grow." Users can cast their vote for Sandusky once a day every day through Feb. 20 on 10best.com and track Sandusky's progress toward the top of the leaderboard. People can vote for Sandusky in the Best Coastal Small Town Contest by going to this website: 10best.com/awards/travel/best-coastal-small-town-2023/sandusky-ohio/. For the Best Midwestern Small Town Contest, people can vote by visiting 10best.com/awards/travel/best-midwestern-small-town-2023/sandusky-ohio/. Leaderboards Here's what the standings for both contests looked like as of midday Monday: Best Coastal Small Town 1. Stuart, Florida 2. Sandusky, Ohio 3. Marblehead, Massachusetts 4. Bayfield, Wisconsin 5. Provincetown, Massachusetts 6. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 7. Cannon Beach, Oregon 8. Nags Head, North Carolina 9. St. Augustine, Florida 10. Lewes, Delaware Best Midwestern Small Town 1. Traverse City, Michigan 2. Vevay, Indiana 3. Dyersville, Iowa 4. Bayfield, Wisconsin 5. Sandusky, Ohio 6. Logan, Ohio 7. Mineral Point, Wisconsin 8. Savanna, Illinois 9. Mackinac Island, Michigan 10. Yellow Springs, Ohio