DEMOPOLIS &045; One of the most anticipated events in Demopolis each year is the Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner and award ceremony.

At the dinner the chamber presents the outstanding citizen, business and volunteer awards, along with the lifetime achievement award. Demopolis Chamber of Commerce President Kelly Smith said the citizen of the year is one of the most coveted honors in the community.

Smith said the honor has gained enough esteem in the community and the standard has been set so high that applicants usually have to show contributions from all areas to walk away with the award. She said the chamber usually sees six to eight nominations for the award.

Smith said the chamber board reviews the applicants and then sends them on to the panel of judges. The chamber usually finds other chamber of commerce presidents or members of boards of directors to sit on the judging committee.

This year’s award will be given out at the banquet held Monday, Feb. 5. The chamber finished taking applications for this year’s nominations yesterday and the chamber will be gin the judging process soon.

This year’s banquet will mark the chamber’s 91st anniversary of existence and the 26th anniversary of its citizen of the year award said Smith. For more information on the banquet please contact the Chamber at 334-289-0270.