Celebration draws enthusiastic crowd as Folsom Times honors top businesses for 2025, names Business of the Year.
FOLSOM—Folsom’s pride, passion, and community spirit were on full display Wednesday night as an impressive crowd filled FLB Entertainment Center for the first-ever Folsom Times Best of Times Awards Celebration. What began as a digital voting platform earlier this year came to life in a big way, transforming into a vibrant community gathering that many are still talking about days later—one of the most energetic and memorable celebrations of the year.
FLB’s bowling lanes, sports lounge, and event spaces became a lively community hub as attendees cheered, mingled, sampled local foods, and applauded their favorite businesses—many of whom were honored in front of an enthusiastic audience.
FLB Entertainment Center, owned by the Dreher family, partnered with Folsom Times to bring the celebration to life. “From the very beginning, the Drehers have been incredible partners and supporters of our vision,” said Bill Sullivan, co-founder and publisher of Folsom Times. “It takes a village to put on something like this. Our main focus is delivering news, events, and entertainment to this community, but the community itself really wanted and deserved a celebration—and they came together to make it happen.”
Sullivan added that the event also reflected the deeper mission behind Folsom Times and what sets it apart from many other media providers.
“We are 100 percent locally owned and locally operated. We don’t have distant owners you never see—we are right here, involved in this community every single day because we truly care about it. And when you care, the hard work doesn’t feel like work—you’re doing what you love for the people you love, and for the people who support your venture each and every day. We’ve grown tremendously in less than three years, but we’ve only just begun. We’re so thankful to the Drehers, our volunteers, and all the local restaurants who made this such a special night.”
The celebration opened with a musical social hour featuring live performances by Nashville recording artist Cynthia Renee, who entertained the crowd as guests checked in and connected before the ceremony began.
Once presentations kicked off, dozens of category winners took the stage to receive their plaques and certificates from Folsom Times, along with special acknowledgments provided by Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez, Assemblyman Josh Hoover, and representatives from Congressman Kevin Kiley’s office. Rodriguez attended to represent Sacramento County but also as a business owner herself.
“Folsom Times delivered a fantastic celebration of the businesses that keep our community thriving,” said Rodriguez. “Thanks to Bill Sullivan and Adam Frick, this tradition has been revived in a way that truly honors our business community. The turnout, energy, and connection showed exactly what makes Folsom extraordinary. I was honored to be there.”
This year’s Best of Times campaign drew thousands of community votes across hundreds of categories over several months. The evening’s biggest moment came when Rainbow Kids Urgent Care was announced as the 2025 Folsom Times Business of the Year, awarded to the company that earned the most total votes across all categories.
Business owners were quick to express their appreciation and excitement for what the event represented. “Your commitment to the Folsom community is truly inspiring—you don’t have just a business, you have a movement,” said Randy Gove, owner of Gove Landscaping, one of the night’s major winners. “I’m proud to be involved and seeing where it all goes.”
Another longtime local business shared similar gratitude. “This was a great event, and what you guys at Folsom Times provide to this community is so appreciated and valued,” said Jim Snook of Snook’s Candies and Chocolate Factory. “Folsom needed this. I am amazed at how it’s all grown and turned out, and proud to be part of it as a business.”
At the heart of the Best of Times Awards is its unique voting platform—designed and built entirely by Folsom Times co-founder and software developer Adam Frick. The system was created to ensure full transparency and fairness. Businesses had months to register, and once voting opened, participants were verified and allowed to vote only once, controlled through email authentication and device identifiers.
“This wasn’t about clicks or ad sales like some gimmicky contests you see elsewhere,” Frick explained. “This was about authenticity. We wanted a true reflection of the community’s voice—one person, one vote. It’s a system built for fairness, integrity, and for celebrating the people and businesses that genuinely make Folsom thrive.”
The evening also highlighted the behind-the-scenes teamwork that made the event possible. Sullivan extended thanks to volunteers Reese and Adriana Punter, who helped with check-in and presentations, as well as Linneah Flahive, Megan Frick, PJ Peterson Photography, and many others who played key roles throughout the night.
“We had so many people step up,” Sullivan said. “From volunteers to local leaders to our partners, it truly took a community effort. And the turnout tonight—seeing this place filled to the brim with smiling faces—proves how much people love and support their hometown businesses.”
Guests enjoyed food samplings from several local restaurants, including FLB Entertainment Center, Plank Craft Kitchen and Bar, Visconti’s Ristorante, and Sutter Street Taqueria, each offering signature dishes to showcase their flavors.
As the night wound down, the room remained energized—filled with applause, laughter, and shared pride in what makes Folsom flourish.
“The Best of Times Awards were built to celebrate everything that makes Folsom such an extraordinary community,” Frick said. “Tonight’s turnout showed exactly that—local pride, community passion, and a commitment to supporting one another.”
For those who want to see the full list of 2025 Best of Times winners and runners-up, visitwww.bestoffolsom.com.
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