DEMOPOLIS &045; The Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 91st annual Chamber Banquet and Dinner Feb. 5.

The banquet will be held at the Demopolis Civic Center and is one of the biggest function for the chamber and its members for the year. Chamber President Kelly Smith said the function drew around 350 people last year.

Smith said the majority of the chamber members usual come out to the event each year. She said the meeting is a forum to discuss the efforts of the chamber and also the forum where the chamber announces its citizen of the year.

Smith said the business and citizen of the year awards are the two most anticipated awards given out at the ceremony. She said the chamber started handing out its awards at the banquet in 1981 and they have become a mainstay of the event.

This year Chairman of the Board Alex Braswell will present the awards and talk about the chamber’s doings since the last banquet. Smith said the special speaker at the event this year would be President of the University of West Alabama Dr. Richard Holland.

Smith said the chamber would also hold a silent auction prior to the banquet. She said the items up for auction will be provide by local businesses.

Smith said tickets are currently on sale for the event for $25 at the chamber office. She said the deadline for purchasing the tickets is Jan. 31. For additional information contact the chamber office at 334-289-0270.