What’s the best place in Southwest Roanoke County to take relatives from out of town?

You tell us!

In years past, voters have interpreted that broadly — and picked places that, um, aren’t in Southwest Roanoke County.

Last year, voters picked Mill Mountain, the Roanoke Farmer’s Market and The Homeplace restaurant.

In 2010, voters chose the Mill Mountain Star, downtown Roanoke, and the Homeplace.

In 2009, the top three were actually a top four. Mill Mountain took first; there was a tie for second between Smith Mountain Lake and the Blue Ridge Parkway, with third place going to the Taubman Museum of Art.

What should be recognized this year?

Voting is now open in our fourth annual Best of Southwest Roanoke County reader survey.

You can find the voting form right here (or over in the right-hand rail.)

The voting is open through midnight on Sunday, March 11; we’ll publish the results in our April 20 print edition.

A few new wrinkles: To make it easier to vote, we’ve gone ahead and listed the top six finishers last year in the business categories — although, as always, you can cast a write-in vote if your favorite isn’t already listed.

If you’ve got someone or some thing you think should be recognized, feel free to start a campaign to drum up votes.

Is there someone or something who should be recognized who doesn’t fit into a category? We always have our “best thing not on this list.”

Happy voting!

Here’s who won in 2011 and 2010 and 2009.

Got friends in other places? We also have Best Of contests underway in Salem, Botetourt County, and the New River Valley.