It’s been a while since I wrote my last chamber chat. We have been very busy here at the chamber.
In May, we had an inside yard sale scheduled for the 6th, but we had to call it off because of the flooding. On the 18th, the Carson and Barnes circus was here and on the 20th, my son and nephew graduated high school.
Just last weekend –– June 30 and July 1 –– we hosted the biggest event that Houston has ever had. It was a huge success, and I want to thank everyone who attended. I want to take a minute and brag on my board members and volunteers. For three weeks leading up to the Monster Truck event: Bobby Dixon, Lori Moncrief, Gayla Bratton, Richard Bratton, Troy Thompson, Crystal Stice, Justin Brown, John Thomas, Joseph Wallace, Michael Wallace, Jacob Cichon, Christopher Cichon, Kim and Adam Stiponavich, Russ Stigall and Bruce Scheets worked tirelessly to get the fairgrounds ready. These people work 40 hours or more, and then worked at the fairgrounds until 10 or later every night. If you attended the Monster Truck event, or have driven by the fairgrounds lately, I’m sure you’ve seen the new improvements. There are still a few more improvements we want to make, but we all need to get rested up first.
I want to let you know about some of our upcoming events. On July 28 and 29, we will have our first ever swap meet. We want to invite any business, club, vendor, people with yard sale items, etc. to participate. The fee is $15 a day, and there are indoor and outdoor spaces available. On the evening of the 28th, we are going to have a battle of the bands, starting at 7 p.m. We would like to invite any bands or individuals who sing to sign up. The entry fee for this event is $25. We will be awarding cash prizes for the winners.
On Saturday, July 29, we will be having a car and motorcycle show. The entry fee for this is $20. We would like to invite all car clubs and motorcycle groups to participate. Also on the 28th, we will have a business tug of war contest. The entry fee for this will be $10. We urge all businesses to become involved. There will be food vendors and things for the kids to do as well. This event will be at the fairgrounds. I hope to see you there!
On Aug. 5, we will be having Houston night at the Springfield Cardinals game. The game starts at 6:20 p.m. and tickets are $11 and available at the chamber office. We have also added a horseshoe tournament for Aug. 12. I’ve had a lot of people ask about a carnival. Unfortunately, we will not be having one this year. By the time I started in August, it was too late to schedule one for here. I want you to know that we did try, but we just couldn’t accomplish it. The last event I want to talk about is the demolition derby. It will be 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the fairgrounds.
I just want to say, “I have seen people working together to better the community that they love and that’s what it takes to make progress.”
For more information about any of these events, you can call the chamber at 417-967-2220 or myself at 417-217-6595