Chamber of Commerce to hold installation banquet Jan. 22

The Greater Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce will hold the 70th annual Membership and Installation of Officers Banquet at 6 p.m. on Jan. 22 at Celebrations in Leesville.

Tickets are $40 per person for open seating. A reserved table for four people, including tickets, is $200, and a reserved table for six people, including tickets, is $300. Dress is business attire.

The guest speaker for the banquet will be Brig. Gen. William B. Hickman, commanding general of Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The winners of the 2012 Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce Businesses of the Year will also be announced during the banquet. Finalists for each category include:

-Small Business of the Year: Cryer's Sports, ERA Sarver Real Estate, Imperial Hardware, J.B. Tuck Equipment and Auction Co., and Perkins Climate Control. Inc.;

-Midsize Business of the Year: Fox's Pizza Den, KVVP-FM/KROK-FM/KUMX-FM, Leesville Daily Leader, Nichols, Inc., and the Vernon Bank;

-Large Business of the Year: Alford Motors, Byrd Regional Hospital, Lowe's, Merchant's & Farmers Bank, and Sabine State Bank;

-and the Church/non-profit/civic organization: CASA of West Central Louisiana, Faith Training Christian Academy, Gallery One Ellleven, Louisiana Lion's League for Crippled Children and the Vernon Parish Tourism Commission.

For more information, or to order tickets, call (337) 238-0349.