By Mitchell Mongold
Contributing Writer
Walking the red carpet is no longer solely for stars of the entertainment industry.
And that will be further displayed on Friday, Jan. 31 when the Yukon Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Gala and Awards Banquet.
About 400 people are expected to attend the celebration honoring the Yukon business community for what’s been themed “A Night Among the Stars”. The top annual award presented that night is named after a late legendary Yukon figure.
The 2020 Yukon Chamber Gala and Awards Banquet will be 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 inside The Palace Event Center, 2310 N Banner Road.
The gala formally will formally recognize Yukon Chamber members’ successful endeavors over the past calendar year. The event also will provide attendees with some projects to look forward to in the Yukon business community during 2020.
These are both vital and directly related reasons why the annual gala is essential to the Yukon Chamber and community, organizers said.
The night will feature walking the red carpet, celebrity impersonators, dinner provided by Spanish Cover Catering, a cash bar, awards presentation, and silent auction.
“It’s been a gala event for as long as I can remember, going back to 1995,” Yukon Chamber CEO Pam Shelton said.
The opportunity for attendees to have a chance to select and win the “golden ticket” – only 100 will be sold for $100 apiece – is going to be one of the more exciting features of the gala, Shelton said.
The silent auction will include prizes for winners ranging from a trip to Costa Rica to a trip to New York City to see an Elton John concert, all $2,000-plus in value.
HONORING A YUKON LEGEND
Awards given out that evening will be the H.B. Frank Citizen of the Year, T.J. Lowery Humanitarian of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, and Ambassador of the Year.
Howard Boone “H.B.” Frank, for whom the Citizen of the Year award, passed away in 1988.
H.B. Frank was a Yukon civic, community, church, and business leader in Yukon for more than 58 years.
The longtime Yukon resident owned Frank’s Variety Discount store on Main Street and was a descendent of Daniel Boone.
Top sponsors for the Jan. 31st Yukon Chamber gala are: KB Landscape and Tree Service – centerpiece sponsor, BancFirst Yukon – dessert sponsor, First American Mortgage – entertainment sponsor, Integris Canadian Valley Hospital – golden ticket sponsor, TruNorth Agency – paparazzi sponsor, InterBank – program sponsor, and RCB Bank/RCB Mortgage – red carpet sponsor.
Silent auction and awards sponsors are still needed.
Tickets for the banquet can be purchased between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Yukon Chamber office, 10 W Main, or by calling 405-354-3567.
