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PARKERSBURG -- The annual gala of the Mid-Ohio Valley Chamber of Commerce when awards are presented to local residents, businesses and groups will be held Thursday at the Parkersburg Art Center on Market Street.
The event, called the Mid-Ohio Valley Greatest Show, will include a carnival theme, heavy hors d'oeuvres, games, prizes and lots of fun under the big top, according to Jill Parsons, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.
"We're planning on a great crowd," Parsons said.
At least 300 people are planned for the event that will be held from 5-8 p.m.
Tickets remain, although Parsons would appreciate purchases to be made by Monday or Tuesday. Tickets are $50 a person, which entitles the participant to food on the first and third floors and other activities, she said.
In a change from previous years, rather than the buffet-style sit-down, guests will be treated to hors d'oeuvre from DaVinci's Italian restaurant on the first floor and carnival-style food on the third floor where the main events and activities of the evening will take place, Parsons said.
The offerings on the third floor, catered by Valley Food, will include items such as pretzels and circus nuts that would be found at a carnival, Parsons said. Lisa's Sweet Shop also will be there, she said.
"There'll be a whole bunch of really great food," Parsons said.
The different format will allow for more interaction and exchange of information between the participants, she said.
Guests should also bring extra money with them for other activities to support the Chamber of Commerce, she said.
Major sponsors for the show are WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center for the first floor and West Virginia University at Parkersburg for the second floor, she said. Crown Floral will decorate the Art Center and provide the ringmaster, Parsons said.
A highlight of the gala is the announcement of the Chamber's annual award recipients.
To be announced are the New Business of the Year, Curb Appeal Award, Community Involvement, the Non-Profit Organization of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Young Business Leader of the Year, Business Leader of the Year and the Chamber Volunteer of the Year.
Nominees this year include: Actors Guild of Parkersburg; Affordable In-Home Care; After the Disaster; American Red Cross; Artsbridge; Blennerhassett Hotel: Brunello; Bolts & Quarters Quilt Shop; Brown Owl Imaging; Buskirk Plumbing; Camden Clark Medical Center/WVU Medicine; Circles Campaign of the MOV; Community Resources Inc.; Country Boy Restaurant; Evergreen Counseling & Yoga Therapy; Hino Motors; Hobby Lobby; Hometown Endodontics; InMotion Physical Therapy; iTech WV; Jan Dils Attorney at Law; Jon Six Hair Company; Miller Prosthetics & Orthotics; Netranom; New Day Therapy; Parkersburg Cardiology Associates/WVU Medicine; Peoples Bank; Project Yoga MOV; Sam's Club; Save A Kitty Cat Feral Program; Silverheels Property Management; Smith Orthodontics; The Bodega; The Bernard McDonough Foundation; Trademark Solutions; Valley Catering; Williamstown Bank; Witten's Farm Market on Emerson Avenue; WV Central Federal Credit Union; WVU at Parkersburg
Young Business Leader of the Year Nominees are: Danielle Allphin (Peoples Bank); Josh Campbell (Rocky Peck Sales & Marketing); Vinnie Conley (The PM Company); Pam Ferrell (Bowles Rice); Nicole Guinn (Blennerhassett Hotel); Kaitlyn McKitrick (Bowles Rice); Lindsey Piersol (Wood County Economic Development); Julie Posey (Parkersburg Area Community Foundation); Derek Snyder (Mountain River Physical Therapy)
Nominees for Business Person of the Year: Ben Bradley (Habitat ReStore); Rob Fouss (Fouss Auction & Appraisal); Chris Gilmer (WVU Parkersburg); Patsy Hardy (S&P Harley Davidson); Doug Kreinik (Kreinik Manufacturing); Kristin Meeks (WV Social Media); Walt Newlon (Camden Clark Medical Center); Chris Shockey (Kuraray); Steve Stalnaker (Hino Motors); Mike Williams (iTech WV)