The Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce held the 2017 Chamber Banquet Thursday night at the North Side Civic Center.  The Ville Platte Jr. R.O.T.C. presented the Colors.  Fr. Richard Vidrine offered the prayer.  Brent Coreil served as the Master of Ceremonies following that and throughout the event he would come to introduce Chamber President, Dr. Tojo Ward, Executive Director, Camille Fontenot and other guests.  Many Chamber members enjoyed the event as guest speakers, Lt. Governor, Billy Nungesser and Columnist/Author, Jim Bradshaw spoke to the crowd about the uniqueness of Evangeline Parish.  Nungesser also spoke about new promotions involving tourism in Louisiana and shared a few personal stories about his travels throughout the State.  Bradshaw shared in-depth views about the “heart” of Louisiana and kept the crowd involved as he spoke on different aspects of our state.

After attendees enjoyed a delicious meal, Director, Camille Fontenot, announced the nominees for Business Person of Year, Business of the Year, Man of the Year and Woman of the Year.

The nominees were as follows:

Business Person of the Year: Alana McClaskey – Owner of The Flower Patch; Carl Fontenot – President of Citizens Bank; Ronald Doucet – Ronald’s Janitorial Service and Victor Slaven – Kolder, Champagne & Slaven & Co.

Business of the Year: B&S Neighborhood Market; Cayenne Heating & Cooling; Citizens Bank; Flat Town Farm Supply & Hardware; The Flower Patch; Gobble Gulley; Thomas Construction Co.; Uptown Cake Company and Ville Platte Gazette.

Man of the Year: Rev. Matthew Alfred, Jr.; Patrick Derouselle; Leonard Glynn Fontenot and Donald Ray Thomas.

Woman of the Year: Nina Daire David and Stacey Freeman-Jordan.

The winners were:

Agriculture Persons of the Year: Kyle and Kane Fontenot

Man of the Year: Leonard Glynn Fontenot

Women of the Year: Nina Daire David and Stacey Freeman- Jorden

Business Person of the Year: Carl Fontenot – Citizens Bank and Victor Slaven – Kolder Champagne Slaven & Co.

Business of the Year: Flat Town Farm Supply and UPTOWN CAKES

Thank you to D.J. T-Rob Soileau for providing the music and a big thank you to all of the volunteers who served the food and beverages at the event.