ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Last Saturday was certainly a golden night to remember for the Liberal community with this year’s Chamber Bash.

After the meal and entertainment from comedy hypnotist Erick Känd, the Chamber of Commerce recognized several businesses and individuals. In the table decorating contest, third prize went to Dillon’s, second prize went to the Seward County United Way, and first prize went to National Beef Packing Company. The Peoples Choice award went to Tortuga Brewing and. Bank of Beaver City won the Best Use of a Prop Award.

Michael Damry and Adam Leete tied for the Best Dressed Male award while Angelica Toscano (who also received her Past President’s plaque and scrapbook) was the Best Dressed Female. Becky Naab and her grandson, Lyric, were awarded the Best Dressed Couple of the evening.

The New Business of the Year went to Fam Digital Marketing, the Chamber Business of the Year went to Ideatek, and Chastity Wallace again won the Ambassador of the Year Award. The awards ceremony concluded with JoAnn Sharp being named the Merit Award winner.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rozelle Webb said the evening was very enjoyable overall.

“This year’s Bash was a lot of fun, and I think people really enjoyed it,” Webb said. “The whole evening was really nice, and all the tables looked beautiful. The food was great and the entertainment was excellent. Everybody really enjoyed the entertainment, and we appreciate all the volunteers who went up to hypnotized. The entire evening was a lot of fun overall. I especially enjoyed seeing JoAnn get the Merit Award, and I enjoyed watching some of my friends be hypnotized.”

Webb said she was very pleased with the turnout for this year’s Bash and what the table sponsors were able to come up with for decorations.

“With it being Easter weekend, we were slightly lower, but not bad at all. We had a really good crowd,” Webb said. “Then with the tables, there were some of those companies that absolutely went all out, and everything just looked gorgeous.”

There were a few small additions for this year’s Bash event, which Webb said were very successful.

“People love the Richie Dorman Band, and Southern Pioneer Electric had a charcuterie table for people as they came in and were looking around at the tables, which I think people really enjoyed,” Webb said. “EverMore and Co. Photography was also taking pictures that night, which was also really neat because people always want something to remember the Bash by. It’s always fun to shake things up a little bit and keep the Bash fresh, and I liked how we were able to do that this year.”

Overall, Webb said, she was very pleased with this year’s Bash.

“I want to thank everyone who sponsored the Bash, who had corporate tables, and everybody who came,” Webb said. “It's just a very nice evening. And without our people, our citizens, coming, we wouldn't have it, so we really appreciate everyone who participated.”