By Liv Nettesheim Chamber Communications Intern The Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 105th annual Awards Gala on June 7 at Stuart Powell Field at the Danville-Boyle County Airport. This year’s theme was vintage aviation, and the “First Class of the Bluegrass” attendees were dressed to impress. Guests were welcomed into the Executive Hangar via a red carpet and velvet ropes.
Tables were decorated with flowers and aviation and exploration themed decorations. Vintage airplanes stood outside the hangar offering plentiful photo opportunities. The opening reception, sponsored by Whitaker Bank, included a cocktail hour where flight attendants offered glasses of champagne and the room bubbled with conversation.
Passengers enjoyed a photo booth and charcuterie table, and excitedly welcomed first-time flyers. Dinner was served by Chaplin River Catering, who offered attendees a full “comfort plus” meal of roast beef or turkey with gravy, topped off with a bread pudding with bourbon sauce, in true Kentucky fashion. Alethea Bruzek, chair of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, presented the awards alongside Jeff Jewel, executive director of the Chamber.
The ceremony kicked off with the “Outstanding Citizen Award,” presented by Bob Allen Motor Mall. This award is presented to those who volunteer hundreds of hours to benefit their community and help the people around them. This year’s recipient, Lahannah Bonagofski, who co-owns Copper and Oak and i.
