While everyone was watching NCAA basketball games last month, we were playing March Happiness, our annual bracket-style social media game. Think: March Madness, minus the basketball and hoop, plus all the fun and positive energy while cheering and voting for our favorite businesses and events in Festival Country.

The competition was friendly, but the voting was tough. For four weeks, our community voted between four teams and submitted votes for additional wildcard businesses. 

After four rounds, 16 teams composed of 65 businesses and events, and nearly 3,000 votes cast, we are pleased to announce the winners of the championship round. The 2026 March Happiness champs, from the wildcard team, are:

•  Wild Geese Bookshop
•  Toodleydoo Toys
•  Crowbar Restaurant & Lounge
•  Hidden Treasures
•  Pana Donuts

Congrats to this team that won with a total of 334 votes in the final round. 

To celebrate the end of March Happiness, we visited each of the championship businesses to experience a winning March Happiness day. Watch the video here.

Explore these winning businesses, or plan your own winning day with stops at your favorite locally owned restaurants, breweries, and shops in Festival Country.