Chamber plans activities

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will begin taking registration for its annual community garage sale next week and is seeking sponsors for its inaugural Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole tournament.

Registration for the garage sale, which is scheduled for Sept. 11, begins Tuesday, Aug.17 and runs through Sept. 3.

Registration fee is $10, which covers inclusion on the map and a garage sale sign.

“That goes to pay for the plastic signs so participants don’t have to return them,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

Signs will be ready to pick up Sept. 7-9, the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday before the sale.

Free maps will be printed and available on the day of the sale.

Jones said the Chamber office will be open 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. on sale day to distribute maps. Maps will be available for pickup outside the Chamber door after 10:00 a.m.

The Chamber traditionally sponsors the city-wide event, which has become a fixture on the local calendar on the second Saturday in September.

For more information or to sign up to be a part of the garage sale, call 325-762-2525.

Cookoff Plans

The Chamber will hold the Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament on Oct. 1-2 at Webb Park.

“This event is going to be a fundraiser to help us pay for new decorations downtown,” Jones said. “Sponsorships will be available.”

Chamber volunteers  put up seasonal decorations throughout Albany in the fall and for Christmas. Jones said the organization is seeking to purchase more permanent and lasting decorations.

Sponsorships for the cookoff will be available at four levels from $50 to $250. Donations will also be accepted.

Jones said anyone, individuals or businesses, can be a sponsor and that advertising at the event is tax deductible.

The cookoff will feature eight categories – Dutch Oven Bread, Dutch Oven Dessert, Vegetable, Chicken, Fish, Wild Game, Pork, and Beef.

Entrants must preregister. Entry fee is $20 for each category. Payout will be based on the number of entries, Jones said.

Check-in will be 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1, with judging starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2.

There will also be two age groups for children, 5-9 years old and 10-14 years old. Entry fee for those divisions is $10. Categories for the youth divisions are to be determined.

Entries for the cornhole tournament may preregister or sign up at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 2. Entry fee is $25 per player with competition for teams and singles. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three places.

The weekend will also include a Karaoke Night starting at 9:00 p.m. Friday or after the Albany homecoming game against Olney.

 For sign-ups or details about sponsorships or any of the events, call the Chamber office at 325-762-2525.