Citizens honored at annual chamber banquet
Citizens and businesses were honored at the annual Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Banquet held on Thursday evening, Jan. 23, at the Twisted Vines Event Center. This year’s theme was The Wizard of Oz - Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
A cocktail hour was held starting at 5:30 p.m. until the banquet began at 6:30 p.m. Steve Idlett provided music throughout the evening.
Chamber Chair Kayse Turner welcomed everyone to the event and Mary Small followed with the pledges to the flags. The National Anthem was sung by Shelby Griffin and the invocation was given by Spain Trask.
Kim Bishop and Eli Pratt presented the Ambassador of the Year Award to Diane Pullin. The Community Spirit Award was given to Faith Fellowship Baptist Church by Kim Bishop and Emily McGowan.
The Jaded Spade was recognized as Small Business of the Year by Kim Bishop and Josh Bayless. Former Mayor Kenneth Hughes presented Donna Bulger with the City of Fairfield Employee of the Year Award.
Everyone in attendance enjoyed The Journey of Oz dinner which included caesar salad, garlic butter rolls, grilled chicken breast with bowtie pasta and alfredo sauce, rigatoni with garlic and meatballs with marinara, and vegetable melody. The dessert menu consisted of chocolate cake with ganache, blueberry muffins with lemon curd and blueberry sauce with crumbles.
Kim Bishop and Kayse Turner presented Kenneth Hughes with the Citizen of the Year Award. The Freestone County Fair Association received the Civic Organization of the Year from Kim Bishop and Kayse Turner. Ace Home Center earned the Business of the Year Award.
Jane Morrison was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Kim Bishop and Gail Farish. The Legacy Award was given to Tony Brackens Sr. by Kim Bishop and Mary Small.
Fairfield ISD Superintendent Joe Craig recognized the Teachers of the Year for FISD as Misty Smith, Fairfield Elementary; Jaymi Craig, Fairfield Intermediate; Aimee Burks, Fairfield Junior High; and Martha Holland, Fairfield High. Lydia Morgan was honored as the Fairfield High School Student of the Year.
Fairfield Mayor Bobby Nichols and Freestone County Treasurer Mandy Chavers were honored for being Best Dressed for the evening. Eli Pratt presented Kayse Turner with a plaque for all of her hard work and dedication throughout the year serving as the Chair.
A cake auction led by Wade Shaw throughout the evening brought in a total of $8,100. Purchased cakes included Poppy Field Passion Chad Morgan $350, Glinda’s Sugar Cloud - Freestone County Historical Commission $200, The Enchanted Journey - Community National Bank & Trust $750, No Place Like Auntie Em’s - Kindness from Case $350, Cyclone Confection - Rollo Insurance - Emily Goodson $500 (donated back), Cyclone Confection - Jay Welch $200, Wickedly Delicious Cake - Farmers State Bank $1,000, The Melting Point - BC Oil $500, Tornado Twist Cake - Tony Brackens Sr. $825, Flying Monkey Madness - Donna Bulger $800, Lollipop Guild Delight - Kirkwood Group $900, Lions, Tigers and Treats, Oh My! - Lane Solley $625, and Bravery in Every Bite - Tony Brackens Jr. $1,100.
The 2024 Chamber Board of Directors included Chair Kayse Turner, Vice Chair Eli Pratt, Treasurer Gail Farish, Secretary Robert McAdams, Director Averie Grant, Director Josh Bayless, and Director Mary Small.
Ambassadors include Cindy Bole, Diane Pullin, Natalia Marsters, Jason Pate. Kristen Martins, Brenda Finley, Kasey Sander, Jason Wathall, Jessica Corley- Rieves, Shelby Griffin, Jim Watterson, Patty Pratt, Lisa Nichols, Mindi Wammack, Emily Goodson, Sandra McAdams, Dana Tate, Brittany Brown, Mike McVey, Kim Bishop, Russell Gilbreath, Lashanda Marshall, Sherri Jones, Terri Stewart, Daryl Allen, Julie and Bob Freeman, Ashley Devillier, Erin Tacker, and Bettye Trask.
The new 2025 Chamber Board of Directors include Chair Eli Pratt, Vice Chair Kayse Turner, Treasurer Robert McAdams, Secretary Gail Farish, Director Josh Bayless, Director Mary Small, Director Mika Scott, and Honorary Member Bettye Trask.
