It’s time once again for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual photography contest!

The photography contest is open to anyone who resides in Hopkins County. We have seven categories: Natural World, Travel, Family and People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children (for photographers up to 18 years of age).

Photographs must have been taken in Hopkins County no earlier than Jan. 1, 2021.

See the rules on our website, HopkinsChamber.org. You can also upload your photos to our website to enter. The deadline to enter is Aug. 31.

Registration for the 53rd Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, presented by Alliance Bank, set for Oct. 22, is open.

To register, go online to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org/stewcooks, email info@HopkinsChamber.org or call 903-885-6515. The cost to enter is $100 per stew pot, with $150 coming from the sponsor to pay for ingredients.

This year, stew cooks can also pre-order a T-shirt with “Stew Cook” on the back for $15.

Register now to reserve your spot from last year.

We also are taking applications for our vendor market at the stew. Cost is $75 for Chamber members, $100 for nonmembers. Go to our website at HopkinsChamber.org or call Amanda at 903-885-6515 to register.

Our sponsorship letters will go out this week, so be looking for those!

For those who are interested in cooking up a pot of stew for the Stew Festival, the Chamber will have a Stewcomers meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11.

Participating in the meeting does not obligate you to cook in the Stew Fest, but it will give you information on the process, including recipes, timelines and what to expect. Email Butch@HopkinsChamber.org for more information on the meeting.

Leadership Sulphur Springs is back for another year, and registration has begun.

Leadership Sulphur Springs is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. The course was created in 1989 with the concept of offering leadership training and community involvement for emerging business and community leaders. It is a nine-month session, with meetings held once a month.

Applicants should have lived or worked in Hopkins County for at least a year, have demonstrated a concern for the community, possesses high standards of persona quality and integrity, willing to commit the time required for the program, have the endorsement of their employer to take the necessary time away from work.

To apply, go to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org, email Butch@HopkinsChamber.org or call 903-885-6515.

The cost is $500, usually paid by the applicant’s employer.

Come get some breakfast treats during the Chamber’s next Business Before Hours, hosted by Nunez Roofing, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5, at the Chamber office.

Whether you’re a member of the Chamber or not, come on for one of the best networking events.

It is race week in Sulphur Springs! Four day of championship jet ski racing is coming to Lake Coleman Thursday, Aug. 4 – Sunday, Aug. 7 for the Jettribe Mid-America WaterX Championship. Racers from all over the USA, and even as far away as Australia and England, will battle it out to see who takes home the championship trophy. Spectators can watch for free from the shores of Lake Coleman, just bring some shade and chairs.

The Pro Racer Show will be on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. There will be food, ice cream, power sports merchants, and family games.

Check out Jettribe.com/jettribe-waterx/ for more information!

On Wednesday, Aug. 3, at Lake Coleman, Jettribe will offer a free clinic for any first time beginner racers of any age. Waiver signing starts at 3 p.m., clinic lasts from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. All stand-up and runabout skis riders are welcome. Come out and get to know what racing is all about.

The CHRISTUS Mobile Athletic Training Room was officially unveiled Monday morning at Gerald Prim Stadium. It will be available to 22 school districts in the CHRISTUS service area. There are plans to do a tailgate before one of the SS Wildcat football home games.

Legend Dairy Heifer, an ice cream and refreshment truck, had a ribbon cutting with its unique vehicle at the Chamber office at noon Friday, July 29. Please welcome them to the community.

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