It’s August 2007. The polls have closed, the votes have been tallied—Conner Prairie has emerged victorious. Cheers ring up around Prairietown, the Liberty Corner farmhands break from their work to celebrate, animals at the Conner Homestead join in the fun—Conner Prairie has been named Indy’s Best Museum on WRTV’s annual A-list!

Fast-forward to 2009. It’s been a year since the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis took the title, and Conner Prairie’s ready to get it back. The buzz spreads from sheep to sheep, Prairietown schoolmaster to Lenape fur-trader—now is the time!

Maybe you’ve seen it on our Web site, in an eblast or on one of our social media outlets, but thanks to you—our supporters and Conner Prairie friends—we’ve got our name in the A-list hat again.

Here’s how it works: WRTV invites viewers to go to TheIndyChannel.com/alist and vote for their favorite local businesses—bakeries, gift shops, breakfast joints, tanning salons, museums and 110 other categories. Besides showcasing Indy hot spots, the competition lets us show extra support for local businesses, something we can’t undervalue right now. Voting runs through August 14, and winners in each category are announced on the TheIndyChannel.com and on-air on WRTV, channel 6.

We’re competing with the best of the best—other top-tier museums like the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum and the Eiteljorg. So, what sets Conner Prairie apart? While I could list off reasons for you all day (and if you follow me on twitter.com/kimberlysc, you know that I do, in fact, list off reasons for you all day), we want to know why YOU think Conner Prairie is Indy’s Best Museum.

Is it our new 1859 Balloon Voyage, where you learn about ballooning, then actually go aloft? Maybe the chance to get up close to baby animals in the Animal Encounters Barn or see a Prairietown potter create something before your eyes? Or the friendly blue-shirt staff helping you maximize your Conner Prairie experience?

Whatever your reasons, share them here, or go straight to TheIndyChannel.com/alist and share them with others in Indianapolis. Tell us what you love about Conner Prairie, and which other Indianapolis businesses you think should win. Local businesses of all types need our support now more than ever, and this is one way we can provide it.

Don’t forget to vote before August 14!