By Jeanette Swarts, Executive Director

Osage City Chamber of Commerce Festival of Beer

Come sample dozens of craft and import beers featuring several brewed right here in Kansas. Enjoy the music of The Bryton Stoll Band while satisfying your hunger from the Saucy Lady BBQ food truck.

There will be a raffle table with drawings for some awesome craft beer related items. Every taster will get a sample glass to take home. Event will be from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 30 at the 4-H pavilion, fairgrounds. Ticket sales benefit the Osage City Chamber of Commerce, which in turn benefits the Warmth Fund, E.C.A.T., college scholarships for high school seniors and the July 4 fireworks, among others.

Advance tickets are just $25 with tickets at the door $30. Tickets are available at Jerrys Thriftway, Stark Carwash, Bank of Osage City, Mulready’s Pub in Emporia and online at brownpaperticket.com. All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

Osage City Flint Hills Nature Trail Fall Fest

Osage City has been asked to welcome the bicycle riders and relay runners as they travel through Osage City on the Dirty Kanza Promotions “Rush the Rails” event 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 7. There are three locations that will designate the length of the trail chosen by the participants. The route starts in Osawatomie, full distance (96 miles); Vassar/Pomona State Park, half distance (54 miles); Admire, short distance (25 miles); finish line at Council Grove. Participants may choose which course length they want to participate in. The relay runners will be either a four person team or eight person team. This is not a timed event.

The Chamber of Commerce would like to take this opportunity to show off our community and express our generous hospitality. The Gilday Gas Station has been designated as the stopping point for the participants. However, there will be numerous activities taking place throughout the Santa Fe Park, Santa Fe Depot, Theels’s vacant lot. The day will include business sidewalk sales, bouncy house, food vendors, ice cream social, children’s activities, craft show, yoga sessions, fine arts display, music from the new downtown speaker system. Plan on being at the park throughout the day as there will be riders, runners and support teams coming through Osage City from mid-morning to approximately 6 p.m. This marks the first year for the event for the Dirty Kanza Promotions and they hope that it will become an annual event with all of the communities along the trail participating as well.

Christmas on Market 2017: ‘Treasured Memories’

Planning has begun for the annual Christmas on Market celebration Nov. 25, 2017. We encourage you to mark the date on your calendar and plan to shop local that weekend as many of our hometown businesses will be offering great opportunities for holiday gifts. The theme this year is: Christmas on Market 2017: “Treasured Memories”.

In addition to shopping, activities will be held throughout the day including breakfast, lunch, visits with Santa, a 5K run, chili cook-off and feed, gingerbread house building, craft show, raffle, live nativity, emergency services showcase, fire truck rides, ping pong drop, live reindeer, and the traditional lighted Christmas parade. If any of you have any ideas or are interested in helping plan, please let me know. We also are interested in any new events you might like to add. If you own a business or are part of a community group, this is a great time for you to be a part of a fun community event. Let’s get together and make this great.

If you are interested in helping with the planning of this annual Chamber event, contact Jeanette Swarts at 785-249-5451.

2018 membership drive –new and renew

2017 membership reached a total of 70 members. Executive director Jeanette Swarts would like to see the memberships surpass 2017 and also the attendance grow at the member meetings. This year, mark the third Tuesday of each month on your calendar to attend the Osage City Chamber of Commerce member meeting. The meeting starts at noon, is held at the Flint Hills Beverage Hospitality Room. The Chamber of Commerce needs the support of the members to make Osage City a better community.

The membership drive will start on Oct. 28 aiming toward a promising year for 2018 members. Please consider the opportunities to grow your business and connect with the community. We would also like to encourage existing members to invite potential new members.

For more information about becoming a member, email osagecitychamber@gmail.com, visit our website www.osagecitychamber.com, or call 785-219-2510.

We welcome all member’s suggestions and comments, and appreciate your confidence and support in the Chamber and our programs. Thank you for your investment as we work together to put business in motion.

2017 annual Chamber of Commerce member mixer

The annual Chamber of Commerce member mixer will be held at 5 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Osage City Municipal Golf Course. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend an enjoyable evening of food and activities. Happy Hour will begin at 5 p.m. with snacks, beverages and activities to partake in. The meal will begin at 6 p.m. with a program to follow.

Current members may also plan to renew their membership, as the membership drive will start on this day. A first time member incentive is being offered. Existing members are encouraged to invite potential new members.

A membership is not restricted to business owners in the community. Any person, firm, association, corporation, partnership, non-profit organization or estate having an interest in the objectives of the organization shall be eligible for membership. Memberships are separated in three types.

Regular memberships – Any person, firm, association, corporation, partnership or estate having an interest in the objectives of the organization shall be eligible for membership. Any regular member shall have the discretion to designate their voting member.

Non-profit memberships – non-profit organization being a regular member with a member designated for voting purposes.

Associate memberships – Any person having an interest in the objectives of the organization. Associate members have no voting rights, nor may they serve as an officer or director, unless otherwise approved by the board, but they will have all other membership privileges and responsibilities.

For more information, email osagecitychamber@gmail.com, visit www.osagecitychamber.com, or call 785-219-2510.