ESCANABA - Attendees of this year's Delta County Chamber of Commerce Love Affair gala got to spend an evening dining and dancing in the City of Lights. The 2010 Evening in Paris-themed event, held Saturday at the Danforth Place, was a big success, according to organizers.
Delta County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vickie Micheau said Chamber members and guests truly made this year's event one of the best Love Affair galas yet.
"Guests arrived early and stayed late and the mood was incredibly upbeat," she said. "We were able to give away very nice prizes thanks to the generosity of our chamber members."
The Love Affair event includes dinner, dancing, both silent and live auctions, raffles, and door prizes. Micheau said $50,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to guests before the night ended.
Each year, one lucky Love Affair attendee wins a grand door prize. This year's top prize - his and hers 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycles, scooters or cash- went to Brad Mantela of Dobber's Pasties. By the luck of the draw, Mantela of Gladstone, walked away with $2,000.
Chamber Chairman Peter Jennings also said the event was a success, drawing Chamber members from throughout the Upper Peninsula.
"It was a great affair," he said. "We had representatives from businesses all throughout the Delta County and its surrounding areas. The food was wonderful. We had a live auction and silent auction, all which were very successful. The businesses are very supportive of the chamber because it works very well for them. It was a
wonderful time, and I think everyone had a great evening."
Jennings said he gives particular kudos to Chamber staff and event planner and decorator Jessica Stewart, owner of JessEvent, who worked hard to arrange an event that could be enjoyed by all.
Micheau said Stewart worked with Chamber member florists (Wickert's Floral, Delta Floral, Flinn's Flower and Garden Center and Final Touches) to set the stage for the perfect evening.
"Our guests could almost imagine that they were enjoying an evening in Paris without leaving Delta County," she said.
Love Affair is the Chamber's main annual fund-raiser and helps to support a variety of promotions and community events, such as the Chamber's golf tournament which will be held later this year. Funds raised also continue to promote membership as well as provide members with continued quality services and networking resources.
Micheau said the Chamber will start planning next year's event before the end of February.
