Chamber Chat

Planning for Moonlight Madness begins in July. It is meant to be a kick off of sales for our local merchants and small business owners. This year the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce broke a record with 38 vendors. The night was hot and steamy and music was playing throughout downtown Atlanta, Texas. I was expecting a great night.

As the lights of the booths began to glow, the smell of food began to fill the air and smiles could be seen throughout. Many townspeople even sang a tune at the Moonlight Karaoke at the Plaza on Main. As the new Chamber President, I was reminded again why I love my job...it’s the people. That’s when I was reminded again from above. The weather began to change....quickly.

Around 8:45pm a huge gust of wind ripped through the streets lifting vendor tents. As clothes and merchandise littered our streets, my first thought was “is everyone okay?”. When a toddler started to cry I scanned the area in front of the Chamber office and saw no one was injured but our event was over.

Vendors started to pack up fast in anticipation of rain. Many small business owners were working frantically to gather their merchandise off the streets. It was then I realized all of the patrons helping the vendors, teenagers running to pick up hats that were once for sale but now tumbling down a sidewalk.

I stopped a group of young men, maybe 16 years old at most, to help. I was met with “Yes mam, sure thing!” Vendors even apologized to me that the weather had stopped the event! Again I was reminded....it’s the people. Moonlight Madness 2022 was a great event after all.

I am truly thankful to our vendors, our patrons, the Atlanta Texas Police Department, our chamber members, even our visitors who just came to see what Moonlight Madness was all about. Your actions make me proud to live in this area and grateful for my job and the people I work with and the members I serve.