CHAMBER NEWS

4th Annual Coats Chamber "Bluegrass in the Park"

The Coats Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the 4th Annual "Bluegrass in the Park" on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 6:00 until 10:00 pm. The event will be held at the Coats Park and will feature "Al Batten" and "The Grass Cats". Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $12.00 at the gate.

96th Annual Coats Farmer's Day

The Coats Chamber 96th Annual Farmer's Day Festival will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2008. The Festival begins with a free Gospel Concert on Friday evening, Oct. 10th at 6:00 - 9:00. Also available on Friday evening will be camping and entertainment at the Jr. Order Campground in Coats.

The Saturday festivities begin at 9:00 am and go until 5:00 pm. We have all day Stage Entertainment, 60 Plus Vendors, Car Show, Farm Equipment Show, Judged Items, Huge Kid's Park, Camping & Wagon Train, Parade at 1:00 pm, Military displays, etc. The day ends with a Street Dance at 8:00 until 11:00 pm with well-know entertainment.

The Farmer's Day Golf Tournament will be held at Chicora Country Club in Erwin on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at noon. We hope you will plan to participate.

Please plan to join us for a wonderful family festival which drew 16,000 attendees last year.

Vendors, please call for booth rental fees and anyone needing additional information please call 910-897-6213.

Bar-B-Que Meal

The Coats Chamber will sponsor a Bar-B-Que Chicken Dinner on Saturday, May 17th, 2008 at 11:00 am until 7:00 pm. Tickets are 7:00 and include 1/2 Bar-B-Que Chicken, buttered potatoes, green beans, bar-b-que bread, dessert and tea.

The Chamber has just replaced the floor in the Community Building, had the trim work repainted, purchased a new microwave oven and completed several small repairs to the building. All of this work has been expensive and in order that we might keep the building in good repair we need your support.

We are also in the process of designing a new sign to go in front of the Community Building with "Coats Area Chamber of Commerce" and "Coats Community Building" on it. We hope to replace the handicapped rail and install railing on both sides of the front entrance.

We hope you will support our efforts by enjoying a delicious meal with us - eat in or take out.

Coats 2nd Annual Health Fair

The 2nd Annual Community Health Fair sponsored by Coats Medical Clinic will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 8:00 am until 12:30 pm. Many participants, exhibitors & services will be offered. Some of those participating will be Joharri Family Services, Lori Duke with patient assistance info; Coats Pharmacy; Physical Therapy; American Home Patient services; Hospice of Harnett; Helping/Heavenly Hands Home Health; Coats Fire Dept.; Boat Safety; Multiple Drug Companies and many, many more. Make your plans to attend this wonderful Health Fair.

2007 Chamber Award Winners

Congratulations to our 2007 Coats Chamber Award Winners. These awards were presented at our 2008 Annual Awards Banquet in February at Triton High School.

Man of the Year......................................................................Earl Denning

Woman of the Year...............................................................Lynda Butler

Farmer of the Year.................................................................Howard Penny, Jr.

James T. Coats Humanitarian Award............................. Garry Celey

M. O. Phillips Award...............................................................Brookie Ferguson

Coats Business of the Year.................................................Moore's Storage Buildings

Coats Small Business of the Year......................................Aagdart Screen Printing

Coats Small Business of the Year......................................Popes True Value Hardware

Beautification Award.............................................................. Rabbit Ridge Nursery

Ambassador of the Year.........................................................Chris & John Freitas

Appreciation Plaques were presented to the following for their support of the Coats Chamber:

1. Progress Energy

2. R. W. Moore

3. Coats Pharmacy

4. BB&T

5. First Citizens Bank

6. Tommy Patrick

7. Danny B. West, C.P.A.

"A Lifetime of Service to the Community" Award was presented to..................................................Helen Butts

The Coats Lions Club presented the "Lion of the Year" award to ..................................................Ron Jenkins

The Coats Kiwanis presented a special award to...........................................................................Corey Godwin

The Town of Coats presented the "Employee of the Year" award to............................................Doug Stevens

2008 Membership Drive

The Coats Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to rejoin or join as a new member. We have many exciting plans in the works for the upcoming year. This year marks our 96th Farmer's Day Celebration and will be bigger than ever. Last year we had approximately 16,000 in attendance. Make your plans now to join us for this wonderful event.

Ambassador Club

Please let us know if you are interested in being an Ambassador for the Coats Chamber. The Ambassador Club consists of people willing to work to promote the Chamber in the community. They do this by attending ribbon cuttings, participating in the annual Membership Drive, working at various functions sponsored by the Chamber and promoting an overall positive image of the Chamber to the community. The Chamber asks that you join this group of people to help make our Chamber a success!