Best Public School
TIE: Willow Springs Elementary School & Fuquay-Varina Middle School
Fuquay-Varina High School
Apex Friendship High School
Best Active Adult Community
Windsor Point Read More
The Aspens at Holly Springs
Altis at Serenity
Best Nonprofit
Military Missions in Action
Fuquay-Varina Jeep Club (Fuquay-Varina Duck Duck Jeep)
Guardian Angel Thrift
Best Preschool
Oak Village Academy
Primrose Schools
Everbrook Academy
Best Interior Design Firm
ASF Interiors
Staging Solutions
Interior Scout
Best Place for Live Music
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center Read More
The Mason Jar Lager Company
Aviator Brewing Company
Best Local Event or Festival
Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina
Unruly Women Collective Night Market
BBQ, Blues & Brews
Best Local Music Group or Artist
Stray Volts
Maverick Rose
Deep 6
Best School Principal
Kris Clark, Fuquay-Varina Middle School
Camille Miller, Willow Springs Elementary School
Heather Johnson, Fuquay-Varina Elementary School
Best School Coach
Tom Bellucco, Fuquay-Varina Middle School Football & Basketball
Jeb Hall, Fuquay-Varina High School Football
Chris Alladin, Resurrection Lutheran Basketball
Best Place for Outdoor Recreation
Bass Lake Park
Parrish Womble Park
Ting Park
Best Place for Family Fun
Home Court Pickleball Read More
Inner Beast Hatchet House
TIE: G13 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Rock Solid Warrior
Best Place for a Fun Night Out
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Home Court Pickleball
Inner Beast Hatchet House
Best Fitness Program
Original Strength Institute
ClubWorx
Neighborhood Barre
Best Yoga/Pilates Studio
PRANA Yoga Read More
Bradley’s Yoga and Fitness
ClubWorx
Best Kids’ Program
Lune Spark Center for Creativity
Arts Inspired Dance Academy
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Best Track-Out or Summer Camp
Lune Spark Center for Creativity
Arts Inspired Dance Academy
Rock Solid Warrior
Best Local TV Personality
Don Schwenneker, ABC11
Mike Maze, WRAL
Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL
Best Local Radio Personality
Erica DeLong, iHeartRadio
Maverick Rose
Amanda Daughtry, 94.7 QDR
Best Local Hotel or Resort
The Umstead Hotel and Spa
The Mayton
Fuquay Mineral Spring Inn and Garden
Best Local Social Media Account
Fuquay-Varina Memes
Today in the Quay
A Southern Wake Couple
Best Local Podcast
The Maverick Rose Music Hour
Hairapy with Wendy Vaughan
NC F&B Podcast
Home Court Pickleball
Best New Business (non-restaurant), Best Place for Family Fun, Honorable mention: Best Place for a Fun Night Out
Kat and Joe Entwistle
Fuquay-Varina residents Joe and Kat Entwistle didn’t open Home Court Pickleball because they are pickleball experts. In fact, they consider themselves novice players. Instead, the husband-and-wife pair saw the potential that a welcoming indoor court had for creating fun opportunities for gathering, movement, and connection.
“It’s a place people can move together and play. The court has been rented for date nights, double dates, and girls’ nights out. When you’re done, you’re right here in downtown and can head to The Mill or plenty of places in downtown Fuquay for dinner,” says Kat.
Home Court Pickleball occupies the back section of the Original Strength Institute, which recently renovated the former Shoppes on Main building on S. Main Street. Reservations are made online, and paddles and balls are provided (you’re welcome to bring your own). There’s a sound system to play music and even photo props to enhance your selfie moment in front of the court’s giant custom mural, painted by Fuquay resident Rachel Cornett.
Instructor-led clinics, lessons, and monthly socials all offer opportunities for organized pickleballing, or grab some friends or family members and make a private reservation.
The Entwistles admit they didn’t know exactly who would use the court, what to expect, or how this “pet project” would fit into their lives as professionals with full-time jobs.
“We’ve learned so much and met incredible people,” says Joe.
“Seeing joy in our regulars, seeing people who have never played pickleball but tried it because they came here, feeling the community vibe — that’s been the win,” says Kat.
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Best Place for a Fun Night Out, Best Place for Live Music, Honorable Mention: Best Kids’ Program
Arts Center staff (clockwise from left): Katie Perry, Katie Crush, Jennifer Rankin, Maureen Daly
During a visit to the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, you never quite know what you might experience. One night brings a magic show by national touring performers, the next a gospel showcase made up of talented community choirs, followed by a toddler ballet class, art therapy, or urban sketching.
From the lobby, visitors can browse the rotating gallery of featured local artists or experience the Art-o-mat, an old cigarette machine refashioned into an art installation vending small-scale original works for only $5.
“There are always people coming and going. We get to see the joy that people have doing something they love, finding something that makes them excited,” says Maureen Daly, Arts Center director.
Providing a varied lineup of programs and shows is a high priority for Maureen and her team, to ensure that everyone in town finds opportunities to engage with the arts.
“We are always looking for those moments of surprise and delight. There’s nothing better than sharing that with others.”
Windsor Point
Best Active Adult Community
From left: Windsor Point residents Carolyn Abernathy, Jo Londardo, Eddie Whitehead and Eileen Fitzgerald
From independent living to skilled nursing care, Windsor Point’s tiered approach to senior living helps active and aging residents find the best lifestyle to suit their needs. The detached cottages and apartments both offer private living spaces without the stresses of home maintenance.
Beautiful facilities and abundant amenities foster a lively atmosphere at Windsor Point. The community center features a dining room, community store, pharmacy, library, billiards room, hair salon, and auditorium. Residents enjoy a heated indoor pool, spa, and exercise rooms at the wellness center. Plus, an onsite health care center provides convenient care and therapy as needed.
PRANA Yoga
Best Yoga/Pilates Studio
“Our studio offers a variety of styles, including hot yoga, power flow, aerial yoga, yin, gentle, restorative, and more,” says Polina Fayet, owner of PRANA Yoga.
Polina founded her Holly Springs studio in 2021 to share the benefits of yoga practice with the community after feeling the powerful effects firsthand.
“Yoga allowed me to reconnect with myself,” she says.
PRANA offers an introductory special that allows new students to sample a variety of classes without a long-term commitment.
“Physically, yoga improves flexibility, strength, and posture while enhancing balance, coordination, and energy levels. Mentally, yoga helps reduce stress and anxiety, enhances focus and emotional regulation, improves sleep quality, and fosters a sense of inner peace,” Polina says.
See the rest of the Maggy Winners:
- The Art of Restoration
- Presenting the 2025 Maggy Awards: Best of Main & Broad
- Quirky Sights in NC
- Small Business Spotlight: Dupre’s Coffee & Company
- NC Festivals Worth the Drive
- See & Do: March to April 2025
- Dig In & Drink Up: Den of Dragons
- Remembering the Crush of Covid
- 2025 Maggy Awards: Restaurants
- 2025 Maggy Awards: Lifestyle
- 2025 Maggy Awards: Services
- 2025 Maggy Awards: Shopping
