Crazy hats, live music and plenty of networking helped kick off the official launch of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce's 100th anniversary celebrations tonight (Tuesday).
Members and non-members alike came to the Duke of Dublin to join in the festivities which were held in conjunction with Chamber of Commerce Week (Feb. 18-22).
"One hundred years of serving the business community of Abbotsford is a tremendous legacy," said Allan Asaph, executive director of the local chamber.
"We've had a chance to grow and develop as the community grew and developed."
More than 100 people took part in the event. The celebration marked the first of three 100th anniversary events planned throughout the year.
On July 24, the chamber will host a community picnic at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery. It is designed to be a family fun day including jump houses, face painting, food, henna tatoos and other activities.
The official closing celebration of the 100th anniversary is set for The Reach Gallery Museum on Oct. 23, as part of Small Business Week.
Several former Abbotsford Chamber presidents will be on hand to share their experiences and memories of the years gone by. There will also be a collection of memorabilia pertaining to the chamber.
"I think the real key is the chamber today is still a chamber that represents small business. Sixty per cent of our members are firms of under five employees and that tends to reflect the nature of the business community in Abbotsford," said Asaph.
For more on these events, visit abbotsfordchamber.com