Photo credit: County of Atchison/Facebook

(KAIR)--It was a celebration of local businesses, community leaders, and volunteers who contribute to Atchison’s quality of life and economic success Saturday night, with the Atchison Event Center hosting the annual Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet.

The banquet each year brings together Chamber members and local area leaders, both business and governmental, for an evening of recognition, networking, and community celebration.

Highlights of the evening included live voting for the Love Local Award as well as the return of the Dessert War, allowing Saturday night's guests to bid on desserts prepared by local businesses.

As is tradition, a key to the evening was the awarding of the annual Chamber Awards presented to recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals for leadership, service, and commitment to the Atchison community.

According to Chamber Executive Director Jill Thorne, the Volunteer of the Year award went to Randell Vanderweide of BRT Construction. The Atchison Juneteenth Committee was named Organization of the Year, while the Spirit of Atchison Award was presented to Steve Caplinger.

Roger Caudle earned the Legacy Alive Award, the Service and Dedication Award was given to the Chamber's Dianna Kruger, and Atchison Athletic Academy was named Entrepreneur of the Year.

Recognized as the top award presented during each banquet is that of Business of the Year. Earning that honor during this year's celebration was Honey Do Farms, whose goal is to "give families the experience of a small homestead [and] self-sufficient ways" through the events they hold and the products they offer.

Also honored during the evening was the County of Atchison, recognized for 170 years.