The Durant Area Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating all its members at a banquet scheduled for Thursday evening.

The chamber banquet is an annual affair where members have a chance to get to know one another and to recognize outstanding members.

“This is an opportunity for us to share with chamber members the events of last year and our aims for the future,” said Rick Hammel, executive director of the chamber.

“We recognize the small business of the year, the large business of the year and the volunteer of the year.” Other acknowledgments will also be made.

The passing of the gavel will also occur at the banquet, as Jackie Harms, CEO of Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma will be stepping down as chamber president, and Butch Arnett, owner of Arnett Insurance, will be stepping up.

The event is sold out, with 350 people expected to be in attendance.

“We're sorry that we couldn't fit in more,” Hammel said, explaining that there just wasn't a facility large enough to hold all those who wanted to attend.

Roger Speers will be providing the entertainment for the evening, and Hammel is sure it will delight everyone.