Good times at the Celebration of Community Banquet

FORT VALLEY, Ga. – Laissez le bon temps rouler! That’s Cajun-French for “Let the Good Times Roll!” That was the phrase that encapsulated the Peach Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 9th Annual Celebration of Community Banquet. The banquet took place last Wednesday, April 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Southern Bridle Farms. This year’s theme was Mardi Gras, complete with elaborate table decorations incorporating multicolor beaded necklaces, paper masks, multi-colored feathers, and more.

Peach Regional Chamber Board Member Wallace Keese was one of the main speakers and he thanked the community for coming out. He also thanked those who made the event possible including the many sponsors of the event.

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Peach Regional Chamber President and CEO Jillian Bowen stepped up to the podium. She thanked her fellow board members of the Peach Regional Chamber. She thanked the many other representatives of Peach County, Fort Valley, and Byron.

Keese and Bowen recognized and awarded certificates to the members of the Leadership Peach Program. According to the Peach Chamber’s Leadership Peach Program webpage, the program’s goal is to create a better, brighter sense of community, a stronger future leadership base, and more informed citizens.

Keese and Bowen awarded the State Farm Insurance Agency with the 2022 Peach County Business of the Year Award, with State Farm employees Paul Capista and Drew Smith representing the company.

Throughout the evening, a few elected officials stepped up to the podium to give a warm welcome and speak of the upcoming positive changes for Peach County. These speakers included Shavonda Hill who was representing Congressman Sanford Bishop, Representative Robert Dickey, and Representative Patty Bentley.

Towards the end of the evening, Peach County Board of Education Chairman B.J. Walker joined Bowen and Keese at the podium and randomly pulled tickets for the door-stopper prizes, which included a gift basket and expensive alcohol.

Following the door prizes, Bowen and Keese called for the finalizing of the auctions, and after giving guests a five-minute window, they announced the winners. The auctions ranged from various gift cards, gift baskets, wines, purses, and a green Japanese maple sapling.

The 9th Annual Celebration of Community was an extravagant opportunity for representatives of Peach County and members of the community to have a fun and relaxing evening. Attendees got to enjoy good food from Sea Shells Seafood Catering, good drinks, and good music from the Lotus Center Band, with Peach County’s School System Superintendent Dr. Lionel Brown playing his guitar.