The upcoming Iola Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner promises to be the largest, and mousiest, in its recent history.
The April 3 dinner recognizes Chamber members for their work to keep the local economy thriving, with six special awards to be presented that evening. Proceedings begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 at the Recreation Community Building at Riverside Park.
With more than 180 registered, “this will probably be the largest one we’ve ever had,” Chamber director Kelly Sigg said.
Presenters include Allen County Regional Hospital, Chanute Radio/Murfin Media, Emprise Bank and Infinity Realty, followed by the grand prize, the Chamber Champion Award, presented by the Chamber.
And while attendees will get plenty of opportunity to enjoy themselves during the meal and awards ceremonies, the action really hits high gear afterwards.
Jennifer Chester of Crown Realty is sponsoring Iola’s inaugural “Ratucky Derby.
You know, mouse races.
Sigg got to see a similar competition at an event in Garnett in January, “and it was absolutely hysterical.”
The mice will be coaxed to race from one end of a small course to the other, while attendees are welcome to bet on which one they think will win.
“Some of the mice will run like heck as soon as it starts,” she said. “Others might start quickly, and then stop or come back.”
Six heats will precede the main event, with businesses sponsoring each leg of the competition.
Some of the entrants have already named their mice, Sigg noted. Community National Bank, for example, has named theirs “Johnny Cash.” Emprise Bank’s entrant is “Penny.”
Betting slips will be filled out during the night — and yep, they even will offer odds on each race.
But even those whose mice do not win will have another chance at winning something because their slips will be put into a pot for other prizes.
“There’s lots of prizes, lots of awards and lots of fun,” Sigg said. “Sounds like a win-win-win.”
Those wishing to attend must act quickly. The ticket cutoff is 4 p.m. Thursday.
