By Lezley Brown
Huge news!!! The Chamber of Commerce is hosting An Evening of Speed Networking! Because networking is just a fancy word for making friends! Our event will be held on Tuesday, August 30th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cedar Canyon in Sulphur Springs. This is the perfect opportunity for local business owners to network in a non-pressured environment, meet new people, promote and describe their businesses, and enjoy delicious food and beverages provided by Lyndsay’s Plates + Provisions. Many door prizes will be given away throughout the evening. There are very limited spaces available, so tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Tickets are $25, so call the Chamber of Commerce at (903)885-6515 to reserve your ticket right away! It’s going to be fantastic!
IT IS TIME to submit your entries into the first annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Photography Contest! Let me review the basics. Anyone of any age can enter as we have a children’s category. The picture must be newer than January 1, 2014, and must have been taken in Hopkins County. The contest will be open from August 1st to August 31st. There are seven categories you may enter: Natural World, Travel, People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children’s Category. Only digital images are accepted (no prints). To submit your photograph, email the picture to [email protected] Rules are releases will be available on the Chamber of Commerce website. I cannot wait to see your beautiful photos!
Just a reminder… effective August 1st we have new business hours. The Chamber of Commerce is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are closed on Mondays from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. as well.
One Way Auto hosted a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, August 2nd at noon
One Way Auto hosted a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, August 2nd at noon. One Way Auto is located at 900 Gilmer Street. The new owner, Clint Lewis, is very excited about opening this new business in Hopkins County. He specializes in used auto sales and he, his wife, and his staff are ready to assist you. Clint explained during the ribbon cutting that One Way Auto has no affiliation with the previous business housed there. Please plan to come by and support our new local business!!
Fall Festival will hold the Finals Competition for Battle of the Bands August 6th at 6 p.m.
It’s that time again… the Fall Festival’s Battle of the Bands Competition is in full swing. August 6th at 6 p.m., the Finals Competition will be held on Celebration Plaza. A winner will be chosen from that group of bands! Exciting!
Lyndsay’s Plates + Provisions will host their ribbon cutting on Tuesday, August 9th at 11:30 a.m.
Lyndsay’s Plates + Provisions is a new restaurant and market located at 313 Main Street. Lyndsay’s offers a daily lunch menu but also offers take home options to bake at dinner time. She offers Take and Bake Options which are prepared and ready for baking, and she also offers Mise en Boxes. Mise en Boxes are containers of the appropriate ingredients to take home and cook for yourself. This week’s Mise en Boxes include pasta with house made meatballs and curry chicken. You may even order online by going to www.lyndsaysplates.com. Go by and check this out straight away!!
Days Inn of Sulphur Springs hosts ribbon cutting and Grand Opening August 10th at 5 p.m.
Days Inn of Sulphur Springs is under new ownership and has been recently completely remodeled. They are hosting their ribbon cutting and Business After Hours event on Wednesday, August 10th at 5 p.m. Come and enjoy live entertainment, snacks, fellowship, and fun!
The Venue at Two Nineteen will host its Grand Opening Celebration Friday, August 12th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Appetizers and drinks will be served at the Grand Opening of The Venue at Two Nineteen on Main Street. Live entertainment will also be provided by James Taylor. Please make plans stop in, admire, and celebrate this new venue on Main Street.
The 10th Annual Hot August Night BBQ Cook-off will be held on Saturday, August 13th
The whole weekend is scheduled to be full of Hot August Nights! Come watch firefighters from across the country compete in the “Toughest 2 Minutes in Sports” at the SSHS Football Stadium parking lot on Friday, August 12th from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and again on Saturday the 13th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The BBQ cook-off food service will begin at 5 p.m., and the Third Day with Steven Curtis Chapman Concert is slated for Saturday evening. For ticket information, please visit itickets.com or call 903-885-7639.
Hot August Night is also introducing a new event… the Hot August Night Street Party featuring James Taylor from The Bachelorette. The Street Party will be held Friday night, August 12th, on Main Street. The concert is free and will begin at 9 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Beauty Grace Boutique on Wednesday, August 17th at noon
The Beauty Grace Boutique will host a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, August 17th at noon. The new boutique is located at 101 Bill Bradford Road Suite 21, and specializes in women’s fashion and accessories. The owner, Ana Velasco, has spent time selling her merchandise at Canton, so she is thrilled to be opening a shop right here in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to attend the ribbon cutting and do a bit of shopping!
The Hopkins County Fall Festival presents Emerald City Band on Friday, August 19th
The Emerald City Band will be performing on Friday, August 19th, on Celebration Plaza. For ticket information, contact a Fall Festival Board member or by calling (903)243-1925.
The Venue at Two Nineteen will host its Ribbon Cutting Celebration Wednesday, August 24th at noon
Please make plans to attend the ribbon cutting celebration for The Venue at Two Nineteen on Main Street at noon. We have all watched this building with anticipation wondering how beautiful this venue would become. Well, now is the time to see for yourself. Put the ribbon cutting on your calendar, and we’ll see you at noon!
Adult Leadership Class being offered for the Fall! Sign up Now!!!
Lynda Hager reported that she would be offering an Adult Leadership Class starting in August for anyone who is interested. The Adult Leadership Class is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Hopkins county Chamber of Commerce. The course was created in 1989 with the concept of offering leadership training and community involvement for emerging business and community leaders. Leadership Sulphur Springs is a nine-month session, with meetings held once a month. The deadline is quickly approaching, and application will be accepted until August 15th. For more information, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515.
First United Methodist Church hosts Divorce Care every Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Divorce Care continues every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. through September 13th in the administration building at First United Methodist Church. All who are dealing with separation or divorce are invited to attend.
New members to the Chamber of Commerce:
Welcome to The Venue at two nineteen, a beautiful new venue on Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Also welcome to Beauty Grace Boutique located at 101 Bill Bradford Road Suite 21 in Sulphur Springs, and Lyndsay’s Plates + Provisions at 313 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. We are very excited to welcome these businesses to the Chamber of Commerce!
Celebration Plaza’s Friday night movie will be Jurassic World at 8 p.m. Saturday morning, Yoga on the Square will be offered from 9 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Celebration Market will be held on Celebration Plaza from 6-10 p.m. and Battle of the Bands will provide your entertainment starting at 6 p.m.. The Allen Bowles Knife and Gun Show will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Civic Center.