Save the Date for Chamber Events

Save the date…all the dates.  Now that we are firmly into 2018 we at the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce would like to make sure you all have some important dates saved on your calendars.  Each year the Chamber (and the Cheboygan Area Visitors Bureau) produce many of the signature events that are woven together into the fabric of living in, working in or visiting the Cheboygan area.  Here is an over view of many of those dates for you to put on the calendar now, so that you don’t miss them down the road. 
 
Business After Hours -  Always hosted by a Chamber Member, but open to any and all who would like to attend,  Business After Hours are a great place to see, be seen, network and have a great time with fellow business people in and around the Cheboygan area.   Many After Hours events have entertainment and door prizes mixed in with some great information about the Host Business and upcoming community events.  To be in the know in Cheboygan, this is the place to be.  Admission is $10 for general Public and $5 for Chamber Members. Upcoming Business After Hours Hosts are:

• Feb 22nd – The Brook Retirement Communities – 5:30pm
• April 19th – Bishop GMC Cadillac – 5:00pm
• May 17th  - Chelsea’s Closet – 5:00pm
• August 22nd – Legs Inn (Harbor Springs) – 5:30pm.  Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Mackinaw City, Indian River and Cheboygan Chambers will all be participating in this regional event.
• Sep 20th – Libby’s Café inside Fernelius Toyota – 7:30am.  This will be a special Business Before Hours event.
• October 11th – Golden River Orchard – 5:00pm
• Nov 8th - 1st Community Bank – 5:00pm
• Dec 7th – Citizens National Bank – 7:30am. This is our end of the year “Good Morning Cheboygan” Business Before Hours.  

 
Annual Community Awards Dinner -  March 15th at the Cheboygan Knights of Columbus Hall with doors opening at 5:00pm.  Nominations are due Friday February 23rd for seven different awards all designed to say “Thank you” to deserving community individuals or businesses that have made a positive difference in the Cheboygan Area. Public is invited to attend.   Tickets are on sale now at the Chamber office, $25 in advance or $35 at the door. 
 
Business Education Series – April, August and October. Exact Dates and Times are still being worked out for this series of business development classes and seminars.  The Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce wants to help all area businesses succeed and prosper.  These classes are designed to help in that process.  With topics related to Marketing, Business Planning, Finance and Human Resources there is something to be learned by most businesses in the Cheboygan Area.  Information will be available soon for exact classes, dates, times and potential cost. 
 
Cheboygan Business Expo and Taste of the Straits – April 26th at the Cheboygan Ice Arena.  Where can you taste amazing signature dishes from area restaurants while talking with some of 
the most prominent businesses in Cheboygan?  The Cheboygan Area Business Expo and Taste of the Straits is the answer.  Venders will be ready to talk business and in many cases employment opportunities. 
 
Hot Cars and Cool Crafts – June 15th -16th in Washington Park and Downtown.  Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Cheboygan Junior Chiefs to host this kick off to summer event with Antique and Classic Cars lining Main Street and a high quality Arts and Craft Show in Washington Park.  There will be something for everyone in this new collaboration of events on Father’s Day Weekend.  Admission is free to the public. 
 
Cheboygan Waterways Festival – June 28 – July 1st.  Cheboygan’s signature summer festival features everything from kids’ events to classic wooden boats.  An open air movie under the stars in Washington Park will kick things off on Thursday evening and lead into Kids Day on Friday with events planned all day.  The Open Water Challenge on Saturday Morning brings world class kayak racers to the Straits of Mackinac and the Inland Waterway.  Musical entertainment in Festival Square will include local favorites such as The BrewHouse Band on Friday, mixing with Virgil Baker & Just 4 Fun polkas Saturday afternoon and the power of Jedi Mind Trip on Saturday evening.  Several new events are being planned for this year’s festival to involve as many interests as possible and keep things sailing in Cheboygan all weekend long. 
 
Community Parades – July 4th and December 1st.  Make sure you make your way downtown Cheboygan on the Morning of July 4th for the annual Independence Day Parade and the evening of December 1st for the famous Cheboygan Parade of Lights.  Both are great family events to celebrate the Holidays of Independence Day and the Christmas Season. 
 
Old 27 Motor Tour – August 25th.  The Old 27 Motor Tour rolls into Cheboygan once again as those car enthusiasts from downstate bring their classic cars all the way up Old US 27 to the end of the road in Cheboygan.  After a parade up Main Street they will set up for a viewing party and car show near the Great Lakes Grill on Cheboygan’s east side.  This event is brought to us by the Cheboygan Area Visitors Bureau and is a great tradition for Cheboygan that has been a late summer draw for years. 
 
State of Community Event – October.  New this year, the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce will produce a State of Community Event to gather together everybody in the Cheboygan Area to get the latest updates from many prominent organizations, individuals and businesses all working for the advancement of Cheboygan.  There will be no better place to get all the information straight from the source than this first time event.  A great community comes from great collaboration and that collaboration will be on display at the State of Community Event.  Some details are still being worked out so stay tuned for updates. 
 
Cranberry Farm Tours – Early October – This event is somewhat weather dependent so a specific date will be set when tickets go on sale in late August.  Did you know that Cheboygan has the largest Cranberry Farm in the State of Michigan and one of the largest in the Midwest?  Only open one day a year for tours coordinated through the Chamber of Commerce the Michigan Cranberry Company is doing their part to bolster Northern Michigan’s Economy one cranberry at a time.  Tickets sell out fast so watch the paper and Cheboygan.com for the latest information. 

 For more information on these and other Cheboygan Area Events please go to Cheboygan.com or call 231-627-7183.  With so much going on it’s no wonder that people all over the state are saying…. That’s Cheboygan!