Hopkins County Chamber Connection

by Butch Burney

Registration for the 53rd Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, set for Oct. 22, is open.

To register, go to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org/stewcooks, email info@HopkinsChamber.org or call 903-885-6515. The cost to enter is $100 per stew pot, with $150 from the sponsor to pay for ingredients.

This year, stew cooks can also pre-order a T-shirt with “Stew Cook” on the back for $15. Register now to reserve your spot from last year.

We also are taking applications for our vendor market at the stew. The cost is $75 for Chamber members and $100 for nonmembers. Go to our website at HopkinsChamber.org or call Amanda at 903-885-6515 to register. Our sponsorship letters will go out next week, so be looking for those!

Stewcomers Meeting

For those interested in cooking up a pot of stew for the Stew Festival, the Chamber will have a Stewcomers meeting at 5:30 pm Thursday, Aug. 11.

Participating in the meeting does not obligate you to cook in the Stew Fest, but it will give you information on the process, including recipes, timelines, and what to expect. Email Butch@HopkinsChamber.org for more details about the meeting.

Leadership Apps Available

Leadership Sulphur Springs is back for another year, and registration has begun. Leadership Sulphur Springs is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. They created the course in 1989 to offer leadership training and community involvement for emerging business and community leaders. It is a nine-month session, with meetings held once a month.

Applicants should have lived or worked in Hopkins County for at least a year. You should have demonstrated a concern for the community, possesses high standards of persona quality and integrity, be willing to commit the time required for the program, and have the endorsement of your employer to take the necessary time away from work.

To apply, go to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org, email Butch@HopkinsChamber.org or call 903-885-6515. The cost is $500, usually paid by the applicant’s employer.

Breakfast Hours

Whether you’re a Chamber member or not, come for one of the best networking events. Get some breakfast treats during the Chamber’s next Business Before Hours, hosted by Nunez Roofing, from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Friday, Aug. 5, at the Chamber office.

Jet Ski Championships

Four days of championship jet ski racing hits Sulphur Springs on Aug. 4-7 for the Jettribe Mid-America WaterX Championship. Racers from all over the USA, and even as far away as Australia and England, will battle it out to see who takes home the championship trophy.

Jettribe Mid-America WaterX Championship

Spectators can free-watch the race action from Lake Coleman’s shores. Just bring some shade and chairs. There will be food, ice cream, power sports merchants, and family games. Check out www.jettribe.com/sulphursprings for more information!

Free vendor space is available. Food registrations are complete, but merchant and game vendors are welcome to apply. You must make all registration requests online: www.jettribe.com/vendors.

Expect crowds of 400-plus racers, their families, and local spectators throughout the long weekend. Vendors can attend any day; you do not need to be present all four days. Pre-registration is required for a FREE 10 x 10 vendor booth space. There is a limit to one vendor per sales category, and space is limited to a first-come, first-served basis.

Ribbon Cuttings

• We hope you will join us for a ribbon-cutting on Monday, Aug. 1, at 9:15 am for the CHRISTUS Mobile Athletic Training Room at Gerald Prim Stadium. There will be a ribbon cutting on Monday, with plans to do a tailgate before one of the Sulphur Springs Wildcat football home games.

• Lacy Shirley with Supreme Lending had a ribbon-cutting at noon Friday, July 22, at the Chamber office. Please welcome Lacy to the business community.
• The LegenDairy Heifer, ice cream and refreshment truck, will have a ribbon-cutting with its unique vehicle at the Chamber office at noon Friday, July 29. They are inviting the public to the event.

Our Business of the Week for July 27 is Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab. Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about this outstanding business.