MONTICELLO – Bright ideas will be in the spotlight along with award winners at the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The event will be held at the new Mississippi National Guard Armory in Monticello off of Highway 84.

The theme for this year’s program is Bright Ideas. Administrative assistant for the chamber Gay McElroy said people should bring their ideas and share them at the meet-and-greet session starting at 6 p.m. before the awards ceremonies.

“We want ideas people have for the chamber, whether it’s a new cultural event or seminars on workplace techniques and practices,” she said. “So, come prepared to share with us so we can help our business community grow and prosper.”

The program will also have entrepreneurs such as D&D Trade Co. in Sontag and various vendors and crafters from the Ole River Gypsies Vendors Mall showcasing their products and services.

There will be some products for sale, and the vendors will be available to answer questions.

Rusty O’Neal will be the master of ceremonies for the awards banquet. He will be presenting the Outstanding Business Leader of the Year, the Civic Award, the Industrial Award, the Teacher of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year.

Catfish One will cater the event. Tickets are $20 and are available at the chamber office on the third floor of the courthouse, at the State Bank in Monticello or from Lisa Griffith at Monticello Elementary School.

For more information, call McElroy at (601) 587-3007, or email her at gaymac@lccda.org.