PALESTINE —
With less than a week from the big night, no tickets remain for the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet.
“It’s sold out — 350 people, the biggest banquet we’ve ever had,” Chamber Executive Director Meghan Hill said, noting that last year’s event had 300 attendees.
The “Denim and Diamonds Gala”-themed banquet featuring local band Jokers Heart, a casino and more will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Anderson County Youth Livestock Pavilion on U.S. 287 North. The event will start with cocktail hour and appetizers at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner catered by Contemporary Catering of Palestine and the program.
“We will be at the livestock arena for the first time. It should be the event of the year for having fun and networking,” Hill said. “It’s going to be exciting.”
During the program, the chamber will present the prestigious Citizen of the Year award, as well as the Business of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Rookie Ambassador of the Year and for the second time, Volunteer of the Year. A special Lifetime Achievement Award also will be presented.
“There’s also a surprise award that is being given to the community,” Hill said.
But the fun doesn’t stop after the program.
“We have over 100 silent auction items and for the first time, a live auction,” Hill said.
The live auction will include five items:
• A one-week stay in a Florida condominium on the Gulf front, donated by Kenderdine Agency Inc.
• Four-night stay at Indian Hollow Ranch secluded cabin in Atlers, Okla. with fishing lakes, canoeing, hiking and biking possibilities, donated by Joe and Patty Hunt, owners of The Reserve a Log Home Community in Montalba.
• Adult male wild turkey “Tom” mounted on driftwood with two beards, shot by Bob McKelvey, donated by Mary McKelvey
• State flag of Texas, flown at the Texas Capitol, donated by State Rep. Byron Cook
• Handmade all-metal pink dogwood bloom, designed and donated by local metal craftsman Terry Vogle
A 52-card draw for Dallas Cowboys tickets also is planned.
Following the live auction, Jokers Heart will perform. Other activities include dancing, mechanical bull and western-themed photo opportunities.
“We are bringing back the casino this year, something that’s been really popular in the past. It’s not real money, but we give people a certain amount of fake money to use and it doesn’t cost anything extra to play,” Hill said.
The menu for the evening includes barbecue pork ribs, spicy whiskey sliders and fajita chicken street tacos for the entrees. Sides will include Contemporary Catering’s signature mashtinis, as well as cole slaw, charro beans and corn salad. For dessert, there’s banana pudding in mini mason jars and mini cheesecake with a Texas pecan praline topping. The beer and wine for the evening will be sponsored by Ben E. Keith Distributing.
The chamber’s new magazine Presenting Palestine also will be unveiled at the banquet.
For more information about the banquet, call the chamber at 903-729-6066, drop by at 401 W. Main St. or visit online at www.palestinechamber.org.
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