Marlow Chamber Banquet to honor area businesses, residents

The Marlow Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Marlow Chamber Banquet Monday, April 24, and Marlow Schools Superintendent Corey Holland will be featured as the guest speaker. The event will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, at the Marlow Life Center at Marlow First Baptist Church.

The Marlow Chamber Banquet is annually held on the last Monday in April to recognize and award members of the community and their efforts to improving the area. Awards are given to the Citizen of the Year, as well as a Free Enterprise Award, and a Community Improvement Award.

In 2022, Lynn Bailey was recognized as with the Citizen of the Year Award, with the presentation made by Kim Kizarr who was the previous year's winner (with the exception of the pandemic year). Mr. Bailey, of Edward Jones in Marlow, will present the award for the 2023 award winner.

The 2021 Free Enterprise Award Winner was Ron and Kyle Jones of Mitchell & Mitchell for the many years dedicated to the Marlow community and keeping their roots in

Marlow with such an expansive business.

Lastly, but certainly not least was the 2021 Community Improvement Award which went to Greg and Julie Sanders of the Last Outpost Shopping Center. The transformation of the

Outpost was visionary; the Sanders have not only improved the location but also created more spaces for small businesses to open their doors and expand their services.

“Honoring those who do so much for the community is motivating,” said Executive Director, Destiny Ahlfenger, “and those businesses and individuals inspire us to continue to make progress and promote our community.”

The banquet doors will open at 6 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m.. Dinner will be catered by B&L Smoked Meats, consisting of pulled pork, au gratin potatoes, pinto beans, salad, and banana pudding. The meal will be served by the Deacons of Marlow First in keeping with tradition. New this year is a silent auction. Auction winners will be announced at the conclusion of the evening. Auction items available range from the Marlow All-Sports pass to homemade goods to a chance for kids to be picked up from school in a firetruck - something for everyone.

“This is my final year serving as Chamber President,” said Larry Johnson of BancFirst-Marlow, “and we have had the opportunity to award and recognize quite a few accomplishments; I look forward to doing that again at the banquet this year and continuing the tradition of honoring those who care about Marlow.”

Tickets for the banquet can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com or by calling the Chamber office. Attire is business casual. Membership to the Chamber is not required to attend the banquet. The Chamber would like to encourage those who are not members to consider attending to learn of the new Chamber members, the exciting plans happening within the community and in the near future, and to network with fellow business owners and those within the Marlow workforce.

If you or someone you know would like more information, please call 580-658-2212 or visit the Marlow Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for up-to-date details.
Founded in 1920, incorporated in 1956, and an established 501(c)6 organization since 1989 with the goal and intent to bring closer relationships and unity of purpose between the Marlow business and the citizens of Marlow.