Best of Dixon Awards Gala
April 17, 2026 • Dixon Elks Lodge
Every year, Discover Dixon hosts a recap of the prior year, and honor those who made it special. Dixon is an incredible community that prides itself on the passion of its citizens.
Discover Dixon looks forward to honoring Dixonites who have gone above and beyond in the past year to make this city such a welcoming, positive, and dynamic place!
This year’s Best of Dixon Awards Gala theme has yet to be determined.
Details of the event and descriptions of the awards are below.
The Best of Dixon Awards Gala is presented by The Telegraph.
2024 Recipients
Business of the Year
Sauk Valley Bank
Small Business of the Year
Coffee Crush
Citizen of the Year
Chris Hammitt
Spirit of Discover Dixon
Ed Lynott
Community Pride – Volunteer of the Year
Gerald Lott
4 Under 40
Jessica Dowdall
4 Under 40
Brent Reuter
4 Under 40
Hele Rowley
4 Under 40
Ashleigh Sorenson
A Special Night for Dixon
Details
You are cordially invited to join Discover Dixon on April 17, 2026 at Dixon Elks Lodge 779, 1279 Franklin Grove Road.
Dress to impress in formal or semi-formal attire. Show you Dixon spirit and community pride by incorporating purple into your outfit this year!
Get ready for a Taste of Dixon! Heavy hors d’oeuvre will be provided by multiple Dixon restaurants.
You’ll be dancing the night away after the ceremony, as music will be provided by a dueling pianos powerhouse!
Throughout the night, you’ll have the opportunity to network with local business leaders and celebrate this incredible community! Don’t miss out! It’ll surely be a night to remember!
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Awards start at 6:30.
Invitations will be sent out at the beginning of February. Tickets will be available soon.
Best of Dixon Award Specifications
4 Under 40 Award
Candidates must have been 39 years of age or younger as of Dec. 31, 2025, and live or work in the immediate Dixon area. Candidates will be judged on their outstanding career achievements and local community impact. Categories to be considered include Career achievements, special awards and recognition, community involvement, volunteerism, and community service leadership skills. Ideal candidates will have distinguished themselves in their professional field or organization, are engaged citizens, and provide leadership by volunteering their time and talents to community groups and causes.
Business of the Year
Business of the Year is awarded to a Discover Dixon Investor who has exemplified what it means to be a business in our community. From community involvement to expanding or creating new initiatives. Nominations are anonymous, and our nominating committee will select the Business of the Year from the nominated applicants.
Citizen of the Year
The Citizen of the Year (COY) is an individual who has demonstrated enormous contributions to our community. A person who is nominated should show strong leadership, involvement in social, cultural, and/or the educational advancement of others. The COY should be someone who has a willingness to serve others with a vision and purpose with no need of personal gain. The COY should be a role model for others, both future and present generations.
Community Pride – Volunteer of the Year
Community Pride Award (Volunteer of the Year) is an individual who voluntarily offers themselves for a service or undertaking and performs it willingly and without pay. The award allows our community to recognize and celebrate volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their service. The purpose of this award is to honor a volunteer whose dedicated service has had a significant impact on the agency that they serve and/or the community at large. The award is given to someone that has served in any way that has benefitted the Dixon community.