Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 75 Years with Diamond Gala

This year is the 75th anniversary of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, and the chamber invites all to celebrate at a diamond jubilee on June 4!

The celebration will begin with the chamber’s traditional annual meeting luncheon at the Oxford Conference Center. Later that day at 7 p.m., the red carpet will be rolled out for the black-tie event in the new ballroom at Castle Hill.

Pam Swain, vice president of the Chamber, said the red carpet will stretch 125 feet right into the front door of The Colonel’s Headquarters at Castle Hill and all attendees will be greeted with flashing cameras “Hollywood premiere” style as they are interviewed by Rick Mize on Q93.7 (now found on 105.1 FM).

Here is a video of her previewing the gala:

The night will go until 10 p.m. with several events. There will be a new event, the first-ever Chamber Chef Shuffle.

There are chefs from Casa Mexicana, Taylor Grocery Catering, My Michelle’s, Debutante Farmer, Hermitage Gardens and McEwen’s who will be serving up their culinary delights. Sweet bowls of hand-crafted ice-cream from Bliss and Baklava from Culin-Arts will top off the guests’ palettes.

Diamond earrings courtesy of Lammons Jewelry

Swain said, “There will be a raffle for some stunning 1.22 karat diamond earrings from Lammons Fine Jewelry. The raffle tickets will feature bottomless champagne flutes exclusively for ticket holders, giving them full access to the champagne fountain. Tickets for the dazzling diamonds are $20 for one or $75 for four. The earrings are Tiffany replicas that retail at Tiffany for $11,000.”

She is excited for the glamorous affair because it celebrates how much the town has grown since 1940 when the Chamber began with just a volunteer president and a few dedicated businesses. Today the Chamber office has grown to five staff members, with a host of active volunteers and around 650.

Pam Swain (left) is ready for the Diamond Jubilee!

“We have seen Oxford change and grow over these seven and half decades, with our businesses adapting with the times,” said Swain. “Some of our members have been with us from the beginning. This event is also to celebrate our long time members who have been committed to business growth and their community for decades.”

The Chamber of Commerce will recognize these 97 long-time members of 20 years or more with an invitation-only VIP hour before the gala.

“Almost 100 members have been with us for over two decades and some for much longer than that. That is truly something to celebrate,” said Swain.

The Chamber 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Gala is presented by Allen Samuels. Tickets are $75 and are available at www.olcc75th.com. For updates feel free to like its Facebook page.

Callie Daniels is a staff reporter for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached via callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.