By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Yukon’s Citizen of the Year will be among winners unveiled next month during an annual fete that takes on a different form this time.
“Yukon’s Best Roundup” will celebrate a group of leading citizens and businesses.
The 2021 Yukon Chamber of Commerce gala will be a “drive-thru” event from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 30 under the Yukon’s Best Flour sign near Third and Main.
Festivities will feature an online auction and boxed dinners of beans and cornbread.
Terry Martin, who chairs the chamber gala committee, said a slide show featuring award nominees will be shown on the side of Yukon’s grain elevators. It will be similar to the “Seniors on the Silo” last spring featuring Yukon High School and Southwest Covenant graduating seniors.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, March 26 for the Yukon Chamber’s annual awards.
Winners of these major awards will be announced during the drive-by “Yukon’s Best Roundup” party set April 30:
H.B. Frank Citizen of the Year, T.J. Lowery Humanitarian of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Ambassador of the Year.
Live entertainment presented by highly acclaimed fiddler Kyle Dillingham will precede the unveiling.
Yukon’s Best Roundup Committee has been meeting regularly to firm up plans for the April 30th drive-by event.
NOMINATIONS ARE NEEDED
Yukon Chamber CEO Pam Shelton and her gala committee are seeking award nominations.
“Let’s makes these awards ‘community awards’ this year,” Shelton asked members. “Have you seen an individual, an organization, or a business that has gone above and beyond during the pandemic by helping others?
“Let’s honor them like they should be honored.”
This year’s Yukon Chamber gala was moved to the spring. In past years, the banquet has typically been in late January or early February at a large event venue.
“A Night Among the Stars” was the theme of the Jan. 31, 2020 gala inside the Palace Event Center, 2310 N Banner Road. The 2020 award winners were:
H.B. Frank Citizen of the Year: Judy Austin
T.J. Lowery Humanitarian of the Year: Dr. Heather Barnes
Volunteer of the Year: Ben Martin
Large Business of the Year: Yukon Public Schools
Small Business of the Year: Ingram, Smith & Turner Mortuary
Ambassador of the Year: Otis Davenport
Auction items and award nominations are needed for this year’s gala. For more information or reservations to “Yukon’s Best Roundup,” call the Yukon Chamber office at (405) 354-3567.
