More than 400 people packed into the Exhibit Building as the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce commemorated another year of growth and honored a handful of award winners.

Headlining the list was Greg Kannady, announced as the 2023 Citizen of the Year during the 85th annual chamber gala.

Joining Kannady in being honored on the evening were members of Kingfi sher AMBUCS as 2023 Volunteers of the Year.

Award winners were Taryn Kuehn, Jenny Laudwig, Terri Stake and Erin Scammahorn.

Two new awards this year were the businesses of the year.

Inaugural winners were Walter Building Center for Small Business of the Year (nine employees or less) and Johnsons of Kingfisher for Large Business of the Year (10 or more employees).

A special honor was snuck in as well as retiring Kingfisher Fire Department Chief Tony Stewart was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award.

( Editor’s Note: See related stories on award winners.)

Prior to the evening’s awards, outgoing Chamber Board President Jalene Jackson performed the ceremonial “passing of the gavel” to Colton DeMuth, who will serve in that role in 2024.

“I’ve got some big shoes to fill,” DeMuth said in taking over for Jackson. “So keep your phone handy. We’ll be calling you for advice.”

Local dignitaries in attendance were introduced, as were current board members.

Introduced as incoming board members were Jon Benham, Crystal Hill, Wendell Prim and Lane Winter.

Chamber Executive Director Shauna Rupp told the crowd that when she travels to chamber functions across the United States, she hears horror stories of other chamber directors and their boards of directors.

It’s something Rupp said she does not relate to.

“I’m blessed with an incredibly supportive board of directors,” she said.

It was announced the chamber added more than 50 new members in the past year and that chamber membership has more than doubled during Rupp’s tenure, which is nearing five years.

Prior to a steak meal being served by members of Kingfisher FFA and the Kingfisher High School cheerleading team, Prim provided an invocation and KHS senior Raechel Evans sang the National Anthem.

Attendees were encouraged to dress up for the event to give it the “gala” feel.

A“BestDressedAward” was presented to Heather Finley, who represented Palmer Chiropractic Clinic at the banquet.