Cunningham with award winners at last year's banquet (left to right): Torie Suggs, Laura Leigh Peters, Suzannah Solomon Wilson

Chamber looks ahead to 2020

By Michael Butler

The year is coming to a close and Tallassee Chamber of Commerce director Jerry Cunningham already has his sights set on big things in 2020.

Earlier this month, the Chamber's annual Christmas parade returned after a rainout last year. Tallassee Trade Day is slated to come back next year after a short hiatus.

"I was impressed by the number of people that came out," Cunningham said of the parade. "Probably more people come out for that event than any other that I know of."

Trade Day has also been a crowd gathering event that draws throngs of people. Cunningham expects large numbers with its renewal in 2020.

"Once we get the area redone around downtown, we're going to try and highlight that area," Cunningham noted. "It'll be a great place to have (Trade Day)."

Renovations to the downtown district are slated for the new year. Previous Trade Days have been on King Street adjacent to the high school.

"The Chamber banquet will be at the National Guard Armory. It's going to be more about celebration of accomplishments from the community. I'm not going to do a speaker this year. I'm trying to evaluate what we really want out of the banquet. I want people to feel more a part of it."

The date for the banquet is set for Feb. 6.