RI Monthly holds "Best of RI" party

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Rhode Island Monthly was set to reveal its annual "Best of Rhode Island" issue Wednesday night at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

It's the magazine's most anticipated issue of the year, and recognizes the best the state has to offer. Many of the categories are voted on by Rhode Islanders themselves.

"The readers poll is really the backbone of the Best of Rhode Island issue," says associate editor Pippa Jack.

The editors at Rhode Island Monthly tally thousands of votes, then dig in to do some serious research.

"It's really intense, we're checking things out. We're going out scouting the state looking for great places to eat, following up on leads, fun places to go shopping."

Money raised by Wednesday night's Best of Rhode Island celebration at PPAC will go to help local children.

"Everything, the net proceeds of the party, goes to charity," explains Rhode Island Monthly president John Palumbo. "[The money] goes to Art Reach, which goes to fund art in public schools."