Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District’s Rep. Steven Palazzo will be the guest speaker for this year’s Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce Police and Firefighter’s banquet.

The banquet will be held on April 21, at the Link on Goodyear Boulevard. Chamber Director April Lovelace said doors to the event will open at 6 p.m., with the event to begin at 6:30 p.m.

As with each year the Chamber is looking for local sponsors for opolice officers or firefighters and their guests to attend the event.

“They pay nothing, this is completely free to them,” Lovelace said of the emergency personnel.

This is an opportunity for local businesses or community members to honor their local emergency responders. Lovelace said the cost to sponsor an officer or firefighter and a guest is $60.

Last year the event’s entertainment was provided by a band made up of local police officers. Lovelace said this year the fire department will be in charge of providing the entertainment.

“I don’t know if they got a band up their sleeve or …,” Lovelace said.

Each year departments honor their finest at the event, naming the police officer of the year, firefighter of the year, civilian employee of the year and present the Chief’s award, Lovelace said. A member of the Citizens on Patrol also will be honored.

The public is also invited to attend the event. Tickets for individuals are $30 a piece. Any business or individual who would like to be an event sponsor can do so for $125. Event sponsors will receive advertisement on the event program and during a logo slideshow before and after the event.

Payment for tickets or sponsorship in the form of check can be sent to the Chamber at P.O. Box 448, Picayune, MS 39466, or payment can be made by calling the Chamber office at 601-798-3122.