Photograph: Chamber members take part in a game of blackjack at Friday nights St. Landry Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards and Casino Night. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Dice rolled down the tables and cards were frequently flipped Friday night at the historic Wolff Banquet and Reception Hall in Washington, as players competed for prizes during the fourth annual 2023 St. Landry Chamber Of Commerce Excellence Awards and Casino Night.
The eventual winners among the estimated crowd of about 150 would later have opportunities to cash-in their chips for donated door prizes.
Contributions for the event will assist the Chamber in sponsoring scholarship and educational programs later this year, according to Chamber CEO Laina Brickley.
Many of those who attended dressed festively and accordingly as though they were sampling the entertainment often provided inside a 1920’s Speak Easy, where gambling from the Prohibition Era was secretly provided.
Brickley said proceeds from the event will be donated to the Chamber Foundation, which provides funding for educational and finance assistance initiatives such as the elementary school Junior Camp CEO program, Leadership St. Landry and annual scholarship program.
Following the awards ceremony and a buffet meal, many in the crowd headed to the tables where card and dice games awaited.
The 2023 Business and Civic Awards were presented to the following:
Non-Profit Of the Year: Hope for Opelousas
Small Business of the Year: Glam Hair Salon And Spa
Large Business of The Year: Andrepont Printing
Excellence in Business Award: Tracey Antee for Maven Consulting
Excellence in Business Award: Andrew Brickley
Excellence in Business Award: Ronkeisha Lafleur
Also announced at the event were 2023 dates for additional events sponsored by the Chamber.
Those events include the April 23 St. Landry Business Summit hosted by LSU-Eunice and a first annual Derby Day Party scheduled May 6 at Arpeggios Lounge and Event Center.
