UPDATE: Time is running out to cast your ballots. Reminder that the deadline is Aug. 31, midnight!

It's that time of year again.

Creative Loafing returns with its 26th installment of our Best of Charlotte edition. In this, our biggest issue of the year — not to mention the biggest Best of compilation in the city — we shout out (and, in some cases, poke fun at) the best that our city has to offer.

It's also your opportunity, dear readers, to honor your favorite people, places, foods, bands and more. Vote now in our readers ballot to let your voices be heard. More importantly, don't let Taco Mac win the readers' pick for Best Mexican. That's just wrong.

Your votes must be received by Aug. 31; the issue will hit the streets Oct. 1.

The rules: Only one entry per person, and a minimum of 50 categories must be filled out for the ballot to count. Submissions by ballot stuffers (and we know who you are!) will be tossed.

Click HERE to start voting.

Need some time to prep time before you jump in? Here's the complete list.

CITY LIFE

Local Hero

Best Activist (Individual or Group)

Best Member of Local Government

Best Local Athlete

Coolest Team Mascot

Best Place to Tailgate

Best Festival

Best Free Event

Best New Thing

Best Old Thing

Best Slogan for Charlotte

Best Area to Live In Charlotte

Best Apartment Community

Best Church

Best Place to Get Back to Nature

Best Place to Go Walking/Hiking

Best Place to Get Hitched

Best Place to People-Watch

Best Hotel

Best Place to Take Your Republican Parents

Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Visitors

Best Golf Course

Best Disc Golf Course

Best Rec Center

Best Weekend Getaway

Best Taxi Company

Best Co-working Space

Best Local Charity

Best Support Group

Best Place to Volunteer

Best Radio Personality

Best Radio Show

Best Local News Story of 2014 (So far)

Local Issue That Needs More Attention

Best Local TV Personality

Best TV Station

Best TV News Anchor/Team

Best TV Sportscaster

Best Local Blog

Best Local Facebook Page

Best Local Twitter Feed

Best Local Instagram

Best Local Celebrity

Best Use of Tax Money

Worst Use of Tax Money

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Best Museum

Best Art Gallery

Best Art Exhibit (Traveling)

Best Art Exhibit (Local)

Best Art Space

Best Art Space Outside of Charlotte

Best Display of Public Art

Best Local Visual Artist

Best Local Performing Artist

Best Theater Company

Best Local Actor (Male or Female)

Best Theater Show of Past 12 Months

Best Movie Theater (Quality of Films)

Best Movie Theater (Quality of Presentation)

Best Charity Event

Best Place to Hear Spoken Word

Best Improv Group

Best Place to See Comedy

Best Local Comedian

Best Drag Show

Best Drag Performer

Best Fine Arts Photographer

Best New Band, Formed In Past 12 Months

Best Local Band (Originals)

Best Local Band (Covers)

Best Local Album of Past 12 Months

Best Solo Music Performer

Best Female Singer

Best Male Singer

Best Drummer

Best Guitarist

Best Rapper

Best Songwriter

Best Open Mic Night

Best Concert Venue (Quality of Sound)

Best Concert Venue (Quality of Performers)

Best Concert of Past 12 Months

Best Music Event of Past 12 Months

Best Place to Hear Country Music

Best Place to Hear Jazz

AFTER DARK

Best New Nightspot (Opened Since August 2013)

Best Weekly Nightlife Event

Best Annual Party

Best Club DJ

Best Dance Club

Bar With Hottest Patrons

Bar With Hottest Staff

Best Cougar Bar

Best College Night

Best Bar to People-Watch

Best Place to Wear an LBD

Best Hookup Bar

Best Place for a First Date

Best Karaoke

Best Wine Bar

Best After Work Spot

Best Paint and Sip

Best Bowling Alley

Best Neighborhood Bar

Best Downtown Bar

Best Dive Bar

Best Sports Bar

Best Hookah Bar

Best Gay/Lesbian Bar

Best Place to Pregame

Best Strip Club

Best Bartender

Best Beer Selection (Bar)

Best Cocktail Selection (Bar)

Best Drink Specials

FOOD & DRINK

Best New Restaurant (Opened Since August 2013)

Best Splurge Restaurant

Best Cheap Restaurant

Best Late-Night Eatery

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant

Best Hangover-Friendly Restaurant

Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Best Restaurant in Lake Norman Area

Best Restaurant in NoDa

Best Restaurant in Plaza Midwood

Best Restaurant in SouthPark

Best Restaurant in Uptown

Best Waitstaff/Service

Best Restaurant Patio

Best Breakfast

Best Lunch

Best Brunch

Best Appetizer

Best Barbecue

Best Soul Food

Best Steak House

Best Seafood Restaurant

Best Selection of Oysters

Best Vegetarian-Friendly

Best Vegan-Friendly

Best Pizzeria

Best Sandwich

Best Burger

Best French Fries

Best Hot Dog

Best Wings

Best Chinese

Best Vietnamese

Best Japanese

Best Thai

Best Korean

Best Sushi

Best French

Best Italian

Best Mexican

Best Middle Eastern

Best Indian

Best Caribbean

Best Frozen Treat

Best Bakery

Best Place to Get Dessert (Restaurant)

Best Place to Get Dessert (Retail)

Best Gourmet/Specialty Food Store

Best Health Food Section

Best Place to Buy International Items

Best Chef

Best Mixologist

Best Food Truck

Best Farmers Market

Best Caterer

Best Local Coffee Shop

Best Wine Selection (Restaurant)

Best Wine Selection (Retail)

Best Local Brewery

Best Bottle Shop

Best Place to Get a Craft Cocktail

Best Place to Get a Bloody Mary

Best Place to Get a Martini

Best Place to Get a Margarita

Best Charlotte Beer

Best North Carolina Beer

Best Domestic Beer

Best Import Beer

Best Local Spirit

Best Vodka

Best Tequila

Best Whiskey

Best Scotch

CONSUMER CULTURE

Best New Store (Opened in Last 12 Months)

Best Local Clothing Store

Best Local Consignment Shop

Best Place to Buy Vintage

Best Gift Shop

Best Shoe Store

Best Jewelry Store

Best Local Fashion Designer

Best Home Accessories Store

Best Furniture Store

Best Bicycle Shop

Best Hair Salon

Best Natural Hair Salon

Best Hair Stylist

Best Makeup Artist

Best Barber Shop

Best Nail Salon

Best Massage Therapy

Best Tattoo Shop

Best Piercing Studio

Best Fitness Studio

Best Yoga Studio

Best Bookstore (New or Used)

Best Record Store

Best Vape Shop

Best Head Shop

Best Cigar Store

Best Sex Paraphernalia Store

Best Wedding Photographer

Best Dentist

Best Doctor

Best Plumber

Best Car Mechanic

Best Heating & Air Repair

Best Dry Cleaner

Best Shoe Repair

Best Alterations

Best Attorney

Best Realtor

Best Bank (Specify location)

Best Hotel

Best Auto Dealer

Best Car Wash (Specify location)

Best Vet

Best Pet Store

Best Doggie Daycare

Best In-Store Pet (Name of pet and where to find it)

Best North Carolina Product