100th anniversary banquet to be held Thursday in Historic Rock Gym
The Elbert County Chamber of Commerce will hold a celebration of its centennial anniversary during its annual banquet Thursday, April 11 at 6 p.m. in the Historic Rock Gym.
The Jan. 14, 1924 edition of The Elberton Star reported the chamber was "organized less than one year," ago and, at the time, had "done more effective work than any other organization has ever done for this city."
"The work done in the way of encouraging greater interest and development of the granite industry, the community hatchery and diversified farming has been of great benefit and of lasting results," the report continued.
Over the last 100 years, the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce has continued doing "effective work" throughout the Elbert County community, adapting ways to be effective as time has changed.
100 years after its conception, the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce currently helps not only promote tourism and growth, but “maintains the local visitor center...maintains a website promoting our community...advertises our community in regional and national publications, maintains a historical marker trail and hosts tour groups” visiting Elberton, according to the Elbert County Board of Commissioners’ (BOC) April 8 resolution honoring the centennial.
The annual banquet, which was deemed the “South’s Largest Fete” in the March 31, 1967 edition of The Star, has included a variety of prominent guests including governors, presidential candidates, a former astronaut, railroad executives, White House staff members, senators, TV personalities, athletes and other “leaders of businesses, education and industry,” according to the April 14, 1999 edition celebrating the Chamber’s 75th anniversary and the (BOC) resolution.
The banquet was also known for its significant size, hosting more than 600 and 700 guests during various years.
While prominent speakers headlined the past banquets, the Chamber also recognized a multitude of deserving citizens throughout the years with awards such as the “Homemaker of the Year,” “Community Service” award, “Booster of the Year,” “Farmer of the Year,” “The Distinguished Service award,” the “Native Citizen award” and more.
The Chamber of Commerce has also helped break barriers as its first female chair, Nancy C. Whitworth (Seymour), was named in 1995 and its first African American chair, Kam McClary, was named in 2020.
Leading up to Thursday’s celebration, Elbert County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rebecca Long and Chair Susan Fortson were presented resolutions and proclamations on behalf of the BOC, City of Elberton and State House Rep. Rob Leverett to celebrate their achievement.
Presentations are also scheduled for Thursday’s banquet gala, which is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails.
The actual banquet will begin at 6 p.m. and include a presentation of the second annual Community Choice Awards sponsored by The Star, the Chamber and WSGC Radio.
A silent auction will also be held for a variety of items donated by local businesses and community members.
The evening will end with remarks from Long, Fortson as the outgoing chair and Elbert Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Tyler Taylor, the 2024-2025 chair.