The Okotoks & District Chambers of Commerce’s second annual Business Celebration Gala is coming up this Saturday, June 8.

It’s a celebration of all the Okotoks businesses that have opened and persevered over the last five years.

Executive Director, Dawn LeMaistre, says it’s been a tough five years for the business community, but there’s a lot to celebrate.

“We’re putting on the best event we can to pat those businesses on the back that were open before COVID and survived, crazy enough to open during COVID, and still thought it was a good idea after COVID… 700 new businesses in five years is a lot. It’s a lot. That includes your home businesses, all of your storefronts and brick and mortar and all of that as well. Considering two years of that time frame we were completely shut down; it just sheds a light on how good our business community is here at supporting our local businesses and helping them to survive through whatever it is that the world wants to throw our way.”

The event was originally scheduled for early March but had to be postponed due to extreme weather conditions.

Just like last year’s gala, the event is being hosted at Sprung Structures in Aldersyde.

“It’s a great partnership, it opens them up to the business community. Traditionally they have not been doors open, so that was a lot of the conversation, of ‘How cool of a facility is this?’ Last year they were our oldest business in the Foothills, celebrating 133 years of business, so it was a great fit.”

The theme is “Hollywood Glam” with attendees encouraged to wear their finest cocktail attire for the red carpet.

It will also feature live music, a fun money casino, and three live paintings to be auctioned off, with the proceeds to benefit youth art programs.

Tickets and sponsorship information can be found on the Okotoks Chamber’s website.

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