CENTRAL—After another year of facing a tough economy, members of the Easley Chamber of Commerce will have a chance to shine Saturday night with a black-tie optional event.

The Chamber is sponsoring its annual banquet, 6 p.m., Saturday, at the Souther Wesleyan University Founder’s Hall.

Ticket sales are up for the event, Chamber President Kent Dykes said.

“Right now we have about 140 people signed up, and that’s more than we had last year,” Dykes said. “And we have more sponsorships than we had last year. So I’m hoping that is a sign that while the economy is still not good, things are starting to turnaround, at least locally.”

The Chamber presents its annual awards at the banquet, naming a volunteer of the year and an ambassador of the year. Last year’s ambassador of the year was Tiffany Martin of the Pickens County YMCA.

The business of the year is also presented at the banquet. Last year’s business of the year was Palmetto Baptist Health, now known as Baptist Easley.

The Duke Power Citizenship Award will also be presented Saturday night. Last year, the award was presented to Jack Ragsdale, who was the first president of the newly-chartered Chamber in 1947.

“We feel these are some pretty important awards, so we put a lot of thought into it, trying to recognize the people who have given so much back to their community.

For more information on the Chamber banquet, call 859-2693.