Farmer-Merchant Banquet, canceled
By Paul Hall on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
LA GRANDE – (Information provided by Union County Chamber of Commerce) At the September meeting of the Union County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Board made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Farmer Merchant Banquet. In light of the increased COVID-19 cases reported and out of abundance of caution, which could make hosting a banquet highly infeasible, the Board agreed it was the best decision to cancel – and hopefully return in 2022 with the best banquet and program to date.
The Board weighed many alternative options to recognize and honor the achievements of the Agricultural Community but felt many, including video interviews with the award presenters and recipients, would not adequately highlight and do justice to the important sense of community the banquet affords. Caleb Sampson, Vice Chair of the Board and Outreach/Events Committee Co-Chair, commented how alternative formats and options “do not adequately convey the sense of community and accomplishment the banquet, as a platform, creates and provides.”
“Honoring and respecting the sense of community the banquet provides really resonates with us,” said Shawn Risteen, Chair of the Chamber Board, “it has been and always will be our primary goal to honor the contributions of the Ag Community.” The Chamber Board looks forward to creative ideas for hosting next year’s award banquet – in whatever shape or format it will be – and is also actively exploring and planning new ways to express gratitude for the hardworking members of the Agricultural Community in the interim.
