The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce will reopen its doors to the public on Jan. 5. The first month of the new year will be a busy one for the organization.

Jan. 10, the Miss Mardi Gras Scholarship Pageant that was originally scheduled for October will be held at the  Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School auditorium.

Jan. 15 the annual GOACC Banquet will be held at the New Family Life Center at the Methodist Church. The theme for the event will be All That Jazz. The newly selected Citizen of the Year, will be honored. Culinary students will plate and serve the meal. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased through the chamber office.

Jan. 24 the Mardi Gras Ball will take place at the Orange VFW. Theme for this year will be Monarchs and Memories. Royalty will not be crowned this year because most had substantial damage to homes and businesses. Past Kings and Queens will be recognized. Entertainment will be past balls that they have had.

Feb. 13-14, the GOACC will host the Mardi Gras Festival and Parade. Gates open Friday afternoon. Entertainment will be all day both days. Hunter Tynan Davis will perform Saturday morning, followed by Kelly Cordova and the Whole Shootin Match. The parade will be at 5 p.m. Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys take the stage Saturday night. “A great weekend of entertainment and of course we’re going to have perfect weather,” said Sabrina Gray, chamber president. “We deserve perfect weather, so were looking forward to that event.” There is a $75 entry fee to the parade, restrictions apply. Booths are available with and without electricity.

Golden Triangle Days will be March 1,2,3 in Austin. The Orange, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Nederland, Port Neches, Groves, Bridge City and Vidor Chambers of Commerce are all going to Austin together. “Year before last, we all went and with our combined effort, we get more attention and are able to push our issues further as a region, instead of the separate counties,” said Gray. “We are all facing the same issues and wanting the same goals. We encourage everybody, if they would like to be a delegate and come along with us.” They had about 300 business people in attendance at the last Golden Triangle Days. More details will follow at a later date.

If you need further information on any of these, or future events, call the GOACC office after Monday at 409-883-3536 or visit their Web site at http://www.GOACC.org.