New Monroe chamber director eyes busy summer schedule

Hired at the end of February, Gallardo-Van Ornam's first chamber after-hours networking event took place on Thursday, March 31. The event was hosted by El Lago Mexican Restaurant at Lake Tye, and included business introductions, appetizers and door prizes.

The theme of the evening was "T.I.M.E. Out for Monroe,GÇ¥ as guests were invited to talk, interact, meet and experience. The well-attended gathering included many chamber members and members of the chamber board of directors.

Gallardo-Van Ornam said the chamber is promoting sponsorship opportunities for both the Music in the Park summer concert series and the Monroe Fair Days Parade, which takes place at the end of August.

This year's Music in the Park series will span three Friday nights in July, and the chamber is offering a multi-tiered sponsorship system to enhance flexibility for local businesses on a budget. Sponsorship costs range from $500 to $2,000, with the goal of allowing more local businesses to be involved in the event.

Each concert in the series is free to attend and will feature a beer garden, food vendors and a different music genre: Friday, July 15, will feature reggae-rock-groove band Longstride; July 22 will bring alternative country band Knut Bell; the series will end with old and new dance tunes performed by the Dana Osborn Band on July 29.

The Monroe Fair Days Parade will celebrate its 79th year, and Gallardo-Van Ornam is looking forward to being a part of it this year. The parade is a long-time crowd favorite, as it proceeds down Main Street in a dazzling flurry of bright colors, vibrant costumes and lively performances.

This year's parade takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, and will feature two Monroe Fair Days Markets. One market will be set up on West Main Street in Monroe's downtown core and the other near the Monroe Christian School, west of Monroe City Hall.

Local events company Poppy Seed Productions is coordinating the markets, which will feature food, crafts, jewelry and art made by local vendors.

Parade sponsorship forms are due by July 15, and vendor applications for the markets are due as soon as possible.

For more information about sponsoring Music in the Park or the Monroe Fair Days Parade, visit www.choosemonroe.com or email office@monroewachamber.org.

Vendor applications for the street fair portion of the Monroe Fair Days parade event are available at www.poppyseedproductions.org.