The Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce Wednesday heard numerous speakers at their May meeting held at Main Street Pizza in Ville Platte.  Members of the Chamber heard and watched a presentation by General Manager, Mark Layne and News Director, Stephanie Ware of KVPI on their recent awards presented by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters.  Nomination videos were shown to the crowd for both Radio Station of the Year and Morning Show of the Year.  For the 7^th year in a row, KVPI was awarded Radio Station of the Year and for the first time ever the Association presented a Morning Show of the Year Award and it was presented to Stephanie Ware in The Non-Blonde Café with Steph in the Mornings on Classic Hits 92.5.  Layne spoke to the crowd and thanked all of the faithful advertisers and sponsors of KVPI.  Since the radio station’s formation in 1953, advertisers have kept the radio station going by always supporting KVPI’s community efforts.  Ware spoke to the crowd and said how “privileged” she feels knowing that people have so many avenues to listen to music and they are listening to KVPI all over the world.  She read a message that she received Wednesday morning during her show from a listener in Ontario, Canada.  The listener said “I know I can’t win the Nearly Impossible Question, but is the answer “Plan your next vacation?”  I love listening to you.” 

Members then heard from Samantha Guillory and Renee Brown with the Smoked Meat Festival.  They both reported many of the changes that have taken place this year.  The festival has been moved up a month as to avoid to terrible heat that has accompanied the festival in past years.  It is not only the 25^th Anniversary of the festival but also the 50^th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.  There will be recognition of many veterans at the festival and especially those from Evangeline Parish who perished in the war.  They are asking for anyone who knows any family members of Gerald James Guillory from the Pine Prairie area or Wilson Jack, Jr. from the Ville Platte area call KVPI at 363-2124.

There will be a carnival, new local merchant area, cooking areas, musical acts like Wicked Waters and Aaron Tippon performing on a brand new stage built by Mike Ardoin with the Lyons Club, pageants, “Chopped” contests, 2-step contests, bartending contests and more.  Tickets will be $10.00 to get in.

Don Taylor with American Benefits was also heard and announced that his company has teamed with Owens & Thomas Funeral Home and will be working within the community very soon.

Janice Fontenot with Troup d’ Evangeline announced their performances of The Odd Couple this Friday night at 8:00, Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Ville Platte Civic Center.

Jerrie Ledoux with Congressman, Mike Johnson’s office announced she will be the liaison to this area and said he has in his 100 days in office held 5 Town Hall Meetings and plans to be in Ville Platte by the end of the year.

Dr. Spencer Launey of Ville Platte Family Care was voted in as the newest member of the Chamber.