On September 19, 2015, the beautiful East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society will be the site of Luau 2015, a brand new event, featuring authentic Hawaiian fare for dinner and professional entertainment by Keola’s Hula Halau & The Hawaiian Serenaders, bringing  the songs and dances of Polynesia. The East Texas Arboretum is located at 1601 Patterson Road in Athens.

Attendees to the chamber’s new fall fundraiser will dine on Kulua Pork, Teriyaki Chicken, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Poke, Poi and Haupia, a coconut pudding dessert. The committee is working hard to make sure that every detail will help provide a memorable evening for guests. The committee members are Tony Kalawe/Edward Jones Investments, Michelle Sjerven/Statewide Surveying Service, Scott & Verna Six/Star Lite Custom Homes, and Derrick Hoelscher/Northeast Texas Insurance.

In addition to dinner and exciting entertainment, there will be silent and live auctions during the evening. Professional auctioneer services are being generously donated by chamber member, David Skains/Skains Auction Service. The committee promises a vast array of auction items for every pocketbook. One of the top tier items is a trip to Maui that includes six days, five nights at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa with Economy Class Air for two and includes a half day Lana'i Dolphin and Snorkel tour.

Luau 2015 will be replacing the Business Expo that the chamber hosted the past couple of years. Chamber President, Jo Ann Hanstrom, said, “Even though we had a wonderful, hard-working committee and support from our members, it was hard to compete with school and other workday events and we just couldn’t engage the community at that time of year. The decision was made to discontinue Expo and return to a traditional party format, which offers a fun night out for attendees, great fundraising and advertising value for our underwriting sponsors.”  According to Hanstrom, there are several underwriting packages available that include tickets, VIP parking, and other perks.  

For more information on sponsorships and auction item donations, please call the chamber office at 903-887-3152 and a sponsor package can be emailed or faxed to anyone who is interested in participating.

Seating at the event is limited and tickets ($60 each for single tickets or $100 a couple) are now on sale at the chamber office, 604 S. Third St. Ste E (the Lawndale Building). Reservations should be made early to ensure a seat.

This will be the last fundraiser of the year for the chamber and .all of the proceeds will go into the chamber operating funds so that they may continue to offer benefits and services to the members and to the community.

Besides hosting Leadership Cedar Creek Lake, maintaining legislative contact, providing support and networking for member businesses and other programs throughout the year, the chamber is a one-stop information source for the entire area. They maintain an up-to-date website with a complete list of all their members and an event calendar. Visit CedarCreekLakeChamber.com and “like” the chamber on Facebook at Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

For Luau 2015 ticket inquiries or more information, call 903.887.3152 or email [email protected].