Courtesy photo Music Mondays are held in Escanaba’s Ludington Park in the summer and are organized by the Bonifas Arts Center. These are just some of the musical events that are the inspiration behind the new theme of the Chamber’s Annual Dinner—“Sounds of Music”, which will be on Thursday, Oct. 12 at The Island Resort & Casino. You can register by going to deltami.org or calling (906) 786-2192.

ESCANABA — In just 12 days, Delta County businesses and community leaders will gather to celebrate their successes at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 12 at The Island Resort and Casino.

Sure to be a rockin’ good time, this year’s event theme is “The Sounds of Music” (not to be confused with the similarly-named Broadway musical and film, “The Sound of Music.”)

Though we loved the “Oktoberfest” theme for past Annual Dinners, this year, it seemed particularly appropriate to have a music theme because of the overwhelmingly positive feedback from people about our music-filled summer!

Exemplifying these positive comments and the concept for the Sounds of Music theme, the Chamber received the below letter from Tom Cannon, a former resident who keeps a close watch on the developments in Delta County:

“Hello, First off, congrats on an amazing summer in Delta County! I grew up in Escanaba, am a graduate of EHS and have continued to visit “home” each summer with my family. For obvious reasons, Escanaba has always been a special place to me as I try to keep up with what’s happening by streaming local radio stations, social media or phone conversations with family and friends.

For the past 25 years, I have worked in both the entertainment industry and local government. Neither seem related but they’re careers I have a passion for (public service, sports and entertainment.) The last decade I have served the City of East Jordan (MI) as City Manager, so I know the challenges with coordination of community events, both large and small.

If there’s one thing Escanaba was known for this summer, live music opportunities were everywhere! Between Northern Lights Music Fest, U.P. State Fair, weekly concerts in Ludington Park, RRN Block Party, Marketplace, and so many others; it’s amazing to see it all take place. I know entertainment was just a portion of the enthusiasm surrounding Delta County as the cruise line visits, sports tournaments, Trappers Convention, upcoming Timber Convention and several other events help create an economic driver for the restaurants, hotels and many small businesses. I know I’m missing several other events, so no disrespect for those energies.

There should be no doubt the entire U.P. saw record breaking visitors this summer. Each time we made the trip, the Mackinac Bridge traffic jams stretched miles from the toll booths. The secret is out–the U.P. is the place to be! Please know when it comes to planning for upcoming events, there’s no dispute: “If you build it, they will come.”

Again, congratulations to each and every employee, volunteer, organization and business who has had a hand in the instrumentation. Please share my appreciation and compliments to everyone that made it happen–Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau, U.P. State Fair [Island Resort and Casino], Escanaba DDA, Delta EDA, City of Escanaba, Delta County, etc…..Until next time, Tom Cannon”

Thank you, Tom, for your letter and providing the inspiration for this year’s event that will start at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour and drinks, followed by a graduation ceremony for members of the Delta Force Leadership Development program, dinner and the awards program at 6:30.

Area businesses and community members will be recognized and honored during the awards program. The nine individual awards will have a music theme and references to the important role each honoree plays in their Delta County Waterfront community.

Help us celebrate all of these successes (and more) of Delta County by purchasing your tickets to the Chamber’s Annual Dinner, “Sounds of Music”! Contact the Chamber at (906) 786-2192 or visit deltami.org to purchase your tickets for $45 each. Tickets include a gourmet dinner, complimentary champagne, and entertainment.

The U.P. Welcome Center/Delta County Commerce Center is located at 1001 N. Lincoln Rd., Escanaba and is home to the Chamber of Commerce, the Delta County EDA, Visit Escanaba, Webster Marble’s Inventing the Outdoors Museum, the Upper Peninsula Military Museum, and the U.P. State Fair office. For more information, call (906) 786-2192 or search ‘Delta County, Michigan–Chamber of Commerce’ on Facebook or visit deltami.org.

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Victoria LaFave is with the Delta County Chamber of Commerce