Some of Fairfield’s finest gathered Thursday evening for the annual Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Banquet, with The Wizard of Oz theme.
Held at Twisted Vines Event Center, the event began at 5:30 p.m. with a Wicked Cocktail Hour, followed by the banquet at 6:30 p.m. Music was provided by Steve Idlett.
Chamber Chair Kayse Turner welcomed guests, Director Mary Small led the pledges to the flags followed by the National Anthem by Ambassador Shelby Griffin, and Spain Trask gave the invocation before the awards were presented.
The dinner menu included Caesar salad, garlic bread, butter rolls, grilled chicken breast with bowtie pasta and alfredo sauce, rigatoni with garlic and meatballs with marinara, and vegetable medley.
Desserts were chocolate cake with ganache and blueberry muffins with lemon curd, blueberry sauce, and crumbles.
There were many great costumes to admire including many Tin Men, a few Dorthys, a couple of Good and Bad Witches, a Cowardly Lion, The Tornado, The Rainbow, The Horse of a Different Color, several Mayors of Munchkin Land and Wizard of Oz, just to name a few.
The decorations were spectacular, and the cake auction brought in a whopping $8,150.00 for 12 cakes!
Chamber Awards
–Ambassador of the Year: Diane Pullin, presented by Chamber Vice Chair Eli Pratt.
–Community Spirit: Faith Fellowship Baptist Church, presented by Chamber Rep. Emily McGowan.
–Small Business of the Year: The Jaded Spade, presented by Chamber Director Josh Bayless.
–City of Fairfield Employee of the Year: City Municipal Court Clerk, Donna Bulger, presented by Former Mayor Kenneth Hughes.
–Citizen of the Year: Former Mayor Kenneth Hughes, presented by Chamber Chair Kayse Turner.
–Civic Organization of the Year: Freestone County Fair Association, presented Chamber Chair Kayse Turner.
–Business of the Year: ACE Home Center, presented by Secretary Robert McAdams. (Representatives of the business were unable to attend)
–Lifetime Achievement Award: Jane Morrison, presented by Chamber Treasurer Gail Farish.
–Legacy Award: Tony Brackens, Sr., presented by Chamber Director Mary Small.
–Best Dressed Costumes: Mayor Bobby Nichols and County Treasurer Mandy Chavers.
–Appreciation Award: Chamber Chair Kayse Turner, presented by Vice Chair Eli Pratt.
Fairfield ISD Awards
–Fairfield Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Misty Smith, presented by FISD Superintendent Joe Craig.
–Fairfield Intermediate School Teacher of the Year: Jaymi Craig, with Principal Shetonia Scires.
–Fairfield Junior High School Teacher of the Year: Aimee Burks, with Principal Cari Martin.
–Fairfield High School Teacher of the Year: Martha Holland, with Principal Sonya Gibson.
–Fairfield High School Student of the Year: Lydia Morgan with Principal Sonia Gibson.
Cake Auction
–Poppy Field Passion: donated by Juls by Jul, made by Something Different. Sold for $350.
–Glinda’s Sugar Cloud: donated and made by Megan Hempel. Sold for $200.
–The Enchanted Journey: donated by Texas Farm Bureau (Kayse Turner), made by Charlotte Brantner. Sold for $750.
–No Place Like Auntie Em’s: donated and made by Karen Leidy. Sold for $350.
–Cyclone Confection: donated by Freestone County Cancer Support Group, made by Something Different. Sold for $500 and resold for another $225.
–Wickedly Delicious Cake: donated by Fairfield History Club, made by Lisa Tate. Sold for $1,000.
–The Melting Point: donated and made by Desserts by MommaCakes. Sold for $500.
–Tornado Twist Cake: donated by Armadillo Emporium, made by Something Different. Sold for $825.
–Flying Monkey Madness: donated by Creations Flowers & Gifts, made by Charlotte Brantner. Sold for $825.
–Lollipop Guild Delight: donated by Freestone Co. Historical Museum, made by Desserts By MommaCakes. Sold for $900.
–Lions, Tigers, & Treats, Oh My!: donated by Blue Sky Window Cleaners and The Patterson Family in Honor of Billy Patterson, made by Desserts By MommaCakes. Sold for $625.
–Bravery in Every Bite: donated by The Little Lady Diggers, made by Twisted Whisk. Sold for $1,100.
Also recognized at the banquet was Faith Academy of Freestone’s very first graduating class. Congratulations to Jesse Schick, Nadie Bancroft, Seth Sanders, Emily Brewer, and JJ Diaz on this milestone achievement. You have paved the way and set the standard for future classes at FAF.
Closing remarks were given by Chamber Chair Kayse Turner and Vice Chair Eli Pratt, where ‘Thanks’ were given to all attendees and recognition was given to the Chamber 2024 Board of Directors: Kayse Turner, Eli Pratt, Gail Farish, Robert McAdams, Averie Grant, Josh Bayless, and Mary Small; to Chamber 2024 Ambassadors: Cindy Bolen, Diane Pullin, Natalia Marsters, Jason Pate, Kristen Martins, Brenda Finley, Kasey Sander, Jason Wathall, Jessica Corley-Rieves, Shelby Griffin, Jim Watterson, Patty Pratt, Lisa Nichols, Mindi Wammack, Emily Goodson, Sandra McAdams, Dana Tate, Brittany Brown, Pastor Mike McVey, Kim Bishop, Russell Gilbreath, Lashanda Marshall, Sherri Jones, Terri Steward, Daryl Allen, Julie & Bob Freeman, Ashley DeVillier, Erin Tacker, and Bettye Trask.
(Photos by Natalia V. Marsters)
