On Thursday, June 19, approximately 40 Powhatan Chamber of Commerce members met at the County Seat Restaurant for their monthly luncheon meeting.

Sandy Duncan, President of the Board of Directors, led the meeting. After inviting new members and visitors to stand and identify themselves and their companies, Debbie Llewelyn with New Horizon Bank and Deb Smith with Tractor Supply informed the gathering about the new business each has opening soon.

Announcements:

The process is beginning to update the Powhatan County map. Chamber members will be receiving information from Village Profile, the company who did the last map in 2003 as well as the directory in 2005. Members will receive a complimentary listing on the map with the opportunity to purchase ad space. Maps should be available in early 2009.

Powhatan’s sixth annual Festival of the Grape will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25 in the Courthouse area.

Powhatan County will be featured in the August issue of Virginia Sportsman Magazine.

The Chamber would like to thank Katrina Blankenship for her time and expertise in putting together the organization’s ad for the magazine.

The Chamber would also like to thank Joe Walton for the countless hours he has contributed in helping with the group’s computer technology needs, including help with the website.

District 5 Supervisor Carson Tucker shared the following:

Look for Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Plan to be available online soon.

A transportation study group has been created to evaluate and address looming problems that the county will face in the near future. In addition, the Huguenot Trail Advisory Committee is focusing on managing the masses traveling on that road, along with protecting the integrity of the Scenic Byway.

VDOT will temporarily close the bridge at Fine Creek in the upcoming weeks.

Ridefinders has been asked to evaluate the need for services in Powhatan County.

The group then welcomed LaTika Lee with the Powhatan County Fair Association. Mrs. Lee has served in a myriad of roles, including as the marketing director at Midlothian Electric Company. As an independent consultant, Lee has coordinated and managed numerous seminars, meetings, conferences and special events, and has served as a public relations specialist at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and at Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources. In addition, Lee oversaw the successful launch of a new Jaycee chapter and built it to reach hundreds of young professionals in metro Richmond.

Before she began her presentation, Lee prepped her audience by having “fair food” served. The members were greeted with corn dogs, Italian sausage with onion and peppers, onion rings, French fries and lemonade.

She began by pointing out that one of the major functions of the Fair Association is to organize and manage the Powhatan Fair, which is scheduled to take place July 29 through Aug. 3.  The Powhatan County fair is a 501(c)3, volunteer-run organization where membership and events are open to all. Their vision, said Lee, is to become a community gathering place.  They hope to add to Powhatan’s quality of life, help promote tourism, and positively impact the economy.

Lee then touched on the history of the Powhatan County fairgrounds. Founded in 1919, the Powhatan County Fair is one of the oldest in Virginia. According to county courthouse records, the property was deeded to trustees “for the use, benefit and best interest of the Colored People of Powhatan County, Virginia.”

The fair has been used to showcase agricultural equipment, as well as agricultural achievements throughout the years.

This year, the Watermelon Growing Contest cash prize will be awarded on Aug. 3. Youth from ages 5 to 18 are invited to register and pick up their seeds as soon as possible from the Powhatan County Extension Office. Also, the first ever Miss Powhatan County Fair Scholarship Pageant will be held at the fair. It is designed to edify and uplift the young woman in the county through exhibitions of talent, charisma, beauty and leadership. The deadline for application is July 15.

Lee pointed out that the fair is an experience that can’t be achieved by watching a movie or talking on a cell phone. Fairgoers are brought face to face with fun, food and entertainment, and it creates unforgettable memories.  Out of the 97 counties in Virginia, only 28 hold county fairs. Since some of the counties surrounding Powhatan do not have fairs, it gives people from surrounding areas the opportunity to enjoy the experience and to bring their tax dollars with them.  Lee called this “clean tourism,” since there is no burden to county schools or other public facilities.

In addition to the fair, the fairgrounds are home to other events including lawnmower races, the Trunk or Treat Halloween festival, and the Bon Secours Care-A-Van which offers medical services for the uninsured on the first Monday of each month).

The fairgrounds are available for rent. More information can be found at http://www.powhatanfair.org.

Lee concluded her talk by thanking the sponsors that have shown their support to the Fair Association: Central Virginia Bank, Tractor Supply, Midlothian Electric Company, County of Powhatan, Byerly’s Auto Mart, Capital Pontiac GMC, Mo-Johns, and Royall Pump and Well.

The Powhatan Chamber of Commerce welcomes all businesses and individuals who are civic minded and want to be a part of a team that promotes the free enterprise system, economic growth and the prosperity of the county.

If you would like information about membership, please contact the Chamber at 598-2636 or stop by the office located at 3829 Old Buckingham Road.  You are also encouraged to visit their Web site, http://www.powhatanchamberofcommerce.org.