SALINE COUNTY -- The Saline County Chamber of Commerce will name its businesses of the year at its upcoming annual banquet beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22.
The banquet is at the Bonan Business Center, 540 N. Commercial St. in Harrisburg.
Chamber administrative assistant Kristen Shull said there are several nominees in the small, medium and large business of the year categories.
Small business of the year nominees are Papaw's Pizza, United Way of Southern Illinois, Tailgaters Bar & Grill, Steward Chiropractic, Little Tractor & Equipment, Trinity Doula Services, and the CEO Program.
Medium business of the year nominees are Farmers State Bank, Clearwave Communications, The Villas of Holly Brook, Bright Beginnings Daycare and Outlaw Motorsports.
Large business of the year nominees are Southeastern Illinois College, Banterra Bank, Ferrell Hospital, Russell Oil Co., and WSIL-TV3.
Shull said in addition, Krystal Blazier and Jonathan Russell will be introduced. They are the two newest members to be elected to the Chamber's board of directors. In addition, new Chamber president Arla Murphy and outgoing president Stacy Hayes Wasson also will be recognized.
While the 2017 banquet was well-attended, with 185 present, Shull said she hopes to encourage more than 200 to attend this year's event. She said as of Wednesday afternoon, she had 182 confirmations.
The banquet also will feature a silent auction, a wine raffle, a photo booth and music. There will be a cash bar, though drinks will be provided courtesy of Peoples National Bank from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Dinner will be catered by Pleasant Valley Catering, owned by Sherry Chrisman of Harrisburg.
