Both area Chambers of Commerce will hold annual awards banquets in the coming weeks.

On Nov. 9, the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce will host a police officer and firefighter appreciation luncheon at 11:30 a.m., as well as its 69th Annual Awards Banquet later that same day at 6 p.m.

The luncheon and awards banquet will be held at The Grand Banquet Hall, located at 217 S. Curran Avenue in Picayune.

On Oct. 26, the Poplarville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Banquet Luncheon at Scooter’s restaurant, located at 613 S. Main St.

This will be the first time the Picayune Chamber of Commerce will hold its banquet at The Grand, and the first time it will be split into two events.

“As we move this event to The Grand, we decided to split the award ceremony into two as we might not have enough space to fit everyone in at once,” Picayune Chamber Executive Director Terry Farr said.

The luncheon will be hosted by the Chamber to honor city police officers and firefighters. The Chamber’s Board of Directors will be present at the luncheon and will feature Police Chief Bryan Dawsey as he presents the Civilian Employee of the Year, the Chief’s Award and Police Officer of the year awards.

Also during the event, Fire Chief Keith Brown will present the Firefighter of the Year award. Residents in the Picayune area can support a police officer or firefighter by sponsoring their attendance to the event for $20. The 69th Annual Chamber Awards Banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the doors opening at 6 p.m., on the same date. During the banquet, awards such as Citizen of the Year, Civic Club of the Year and Excellence in Business will be presented.

All Chamber members are invited to attend the banquet.

“We want it to be very special for everyone in attendance, so we decided to get it back to the basics,” Farr said.

Tickets can be purchased at the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 201 Hwy. 11 in Picayune.

For more information, contact the Chamber at (601) 798-3122 or (601) 746-2983.

The Poplarville Chamber of Commerce will also present its winners for Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Policeman of the Year, Fireman of the Year, City Worker of the Year and the Future leader of the Year during the luncheon set for Oct. 26.

Stacey Wilkes, Mississippi State Representative of District 108 will be the guest speaker, according to a release from the Poplarville Chamber.

Tickets are $10 and be purchased by email at poplarvillechamber@gmail.com or by calling (601) 795-0578.