A Conversation with Chamber of Commerce President Amanda Gibson: Sanger Sellabration and More

Get ready to mark your calendars folks! We've got the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Amanda Gibson, giving us an exclusive on the 45th Annual Downtown Sellabration Festival. With an impressive line-up of food trucks, vendors, games, raffles and even a mechanical bull ride, it's promising to be an event to remember. Amanda walks us through how this community-oriented festival has grown and blossomed over the years. We also get an insider's peek into the beneficiaries of this grand event, such as Casa of Denton County.

We're not just about the big events, though. In the second part of our conversation, we get personal with Amanda as she shares why the warm, small-town atmosphere of Sanger was the perfect choice for her and her family. Our chat turns to the recent Songwriter Festival and how even the smallest events can have a profound impact on the community. We also get a sneak peek into the Chamber's plans for the upcoming holiday celebration in partnership with the City of Sanger, along with some exciting details on the Safe Spook event in Downtown Sanger that's just around the corner. So, pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of hot chocolate, and join us for an episode filled with celebration, community spirit, and small-town charm.

If you would like to support Beaver Builders as they raise money for CASA, please call 940-458-7354.

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to dgreen@sangertexas.org

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:07

Welcome to the 266 Express. I'm John Noblett, with my co-host, donna Green. Donna, who do we have with us today?

Speaker 2: 0:13

Hi, we have Amanda Gibson. She is the president of our Chamber of Commerce and she's here to talk with us about an event that's coming up soon.

Speaker 3: 0:22

Good morning guys. I'm so glad to be here. We've got celebration coming up on Saturday, October 28th. It's our 45th year and we'll kick off at 8 am that morning and it'll run until about five in the evening.

Speaker 2: 0:35

Wow, 45 years that's a long time.

Speaker 1: 0:38

So tell us a little more about celebration. What can people plan on for the event?

Speaker 3: 0:42

Well, it is literally your downtown Main Street Festival. We are so excited. We've got vendors out there, but not only that, we've got food trucks and then, of course, plenty of games and activities which I'd love to tell you guys about. Datku is our presenting sponsor, and they have been so faithful to us all these years, and we've got Beaver. Builders will be out there with raffle tickets for their playhouse that he custom builds every year, and those donations go to Casa. And of course, we have our little Mr and Miss pageant, which is always fun, but not to be confused with our costume contest. Those are two separate events. So we're looking forward to having all the kids out, and then, several years ago, we combined it with our safe spook event. So in the afternoon there'll be a chance for all the kids to come out and trick or treat to our vendors, so they'll have candy out and it'll just be a really good time.

Speaker 1: 1:45

So is there anything special we need to do if Donna and I want to compete in a little Mr and Miss?

Speaker 3: 1:51

Well, I'm afraid that there is an age limit. However, you guys might fit in with the pizza eating contest sponsored by Pellegrinos.

Speaker 1: 1:59

There you go.

Speaker 2: 2:01

What's she say in there?

Speaker 1: 2:02

I don't know, I don't know how much Pellegrinos I can eat. It's really really good. Yeah, it is good.

Speaker 2: 2:07

Yes, so you said you mentioned Casa, so tell people what is Casa and you know if they want to support it. Maybe we can put a link in the yeah, I would love to.

Speaker 3: 2:18

So Casa, and this is Casa of Denton County. Typically every county has a Casa and it's a court appointed advocate for children who go through the CPS system. And these, these Casa appointed people, they are direct advocates for the child, right? So they're not CPS, they're not the judge or a lawyer. They are there to help the child through the time.

Speaker 2: 2:45

They're like their guardian and light them. Yeah, okay.

Speaker 3: 2:47

And so it's pretty awesome, but they need funds to do that. It's a whole. It's a whole volunteer program, and Beaver Builders does a beautiful playhouse every year that he raffles, and so not only are there tickets to win the playhouse which I was very bitter I did not win last year but they're also accepting donations to support the building of the playhouse.

Speaker 1: 3:09

Yeah, that's fantastic, I know, I know. When they first started doing that, we were super excited that Beaver stepped in and really handled that.

Speaker 2: 3:16

Yes, it was great and I think they did it a couple years ago and yeah, they did it forever and ever and ever, and then it kind of they didn't for a bit and now they're back to doing it, so that's great.

Speaker 3: 3:24

Last year was a little. It should be completed now, but last year was a cute like little camper type playhouse. So and then D and L has their wiener dog races and everybody loves that. It's kind of becomes synonymous with celebration. You know, other things change, but the wiener dog races don't, so we're glad to have them out here for that.

Speaker 2: 3:46

So can you tell us a little bit? How did celebration get started? I mean, it's been 45 years now, so I'm sure it's progressed through the years as well. It has.

Speaker 3: 3:53

You know, and we were even talking about it, we've got close to I know it's over 150 vendors, under 200 at this time, but you know there were days that we were just begging to have 50 out there. So it has really just kind of grown and morphed and it's really a time for us all to come together as a community and we're so thankful for that opportunity. So, but we've got kids games, pretty much. Unless you just want to purchase food, everything out there is free. And then, of course, our vendors. I'm sure they would like to take your buddy, but you know you can cut. There's plenty of things to do that are of no cost and a family can come out and everything is family friendly.

Speaker 1: 4:40

That's good because with Datcou, with the credit union there being a sponsor, it's always good for me because I can take out a small loan, because my wife tends to buy just about everything from wood crafts, to food, to nails. I mean, there's just always seems to be a great selection of vendors that you guys have out there.

Speaker 3: 5:00

Yeah, we have everything from your t-shirt, your senses Stitchin' and Moore will be out there. She always has great singer spirit wear. And then we'll have the Kiwanis Club. They're also doing a car smash. Last year was their first year to have that and it was super awesome. Who doesn't want to go beat a car? Yeah?

Speaker 2: 5:24

exactly.

Speaker 3: 5:26

So we're excited to have Kiwanis Club back out there again, as this is their fundraiser. The mechanical bull will be out there, so I expect to see both of y'all on there, of course.

Speaker 1: 5:39

Is it powered?

Speaker 3: 5:40

It is powered. I wonder, though, if it's on city property, if you heard yourself, if you'd get workers comp maybe.

Speaker 1: 5:45

I don't know.

Speaker 3: 5:46

I don't know that you might need to look into that before y'all hop on. Yeah, there's a lot of things I need to look at before I hop on the mechanical bull. You might need to go down to the revival, right? Yeah, for sure.

Speaker 1: 5:58

So let's step back A little further back than even the celebration, tell us a little more about the Chamber of Commerce and kind of what you guys do as a whole.

Speaker 3: 6:10

Yeah, so thanks so much for asking. For those that don't know, sanger does have a very active Chamber of Commerce and we're growing with members every day and, of course, with the support of the city, we're here to encourage commerce with our businesses right and not just downtown but all over. So we provide networking events. We have a business over breakfast which is free, you don't have to pay for that. We usually have a sponsor, one of our small businesses, and it's every second Wednesday of the month from 8.30 to whenever you leave. Pretty much, but we've got.

Speaker 3: 6:52

We try to encourage networking amongst other businesses as well through that. We also have our luncheons monthly which typically will have some sort of educational piece or city school district update, those sorts of things just to keep our small business owners in the know. But we're really looking forward to this next year. We've got huge educational pieces that are going to be coming to our small business groups. With everything that's gone on since COVID, we've really we've heard from our small businesses and we've listened and they want some more education on how to run business and those sorts of things. So we'll be doing that a little bit separately this next year.

Speaker 1: 7:35

So when you say in Sangre itself, now do you guys just focus on Sangre or do you also look at some of the regional partnerships and businesses that we have in the area?

Speaker 3: 7:45

Oh, absolutely. It's not confined to the city limits by any means and we are actually called the Sangre Area Chamber of Commerce so it reaches even into dent and businesses. Sometimes we lack certain niches being in our small communities, so we definitely welcome anybody in the area that would like to be a part and join the Chamber to be a part of us. You know, I know crumb doesn't have a chamber and so we welcome those businesses as well. It's really just an area, networking and chamber. I guess she would say business alliance, so to speak right now and then we've been doing.

Speaker 2: 8:25

We've been in the last couple years. We really partnered together the city and the chamber and we love that and I know you have. With our Christmas event that'll come up very soon. You guys have a fundraiser there, I believe, for the chamber. We are.

Speaker 3: 8:38

So we are doing on the Whitworth lot. They've been so kind to allow us to use that. Just like they do during celebration as well. We're gonna be putting out Christmas trees and so businesses can purchase a Christmas tree I believe it's $250 for the tree and they'll decorate it and of course the city will help with the lighting of those LED lights. So we're so thankful for that. But it'll really just give kind of a majestic corner To do photo ops and those sorts of things, hopefully to collaborate with the wonderful work you do in the square, because the square looks amazing every year. I look forward to it Awesome.

Speaker 2: 9:15

What's our?

Speaker 3: 9:15

theme this year for the square snowflakes and snowmen. Oh, that might be why we're doing a snowball fight one of those days.

Speaker 2: 9:22

Oh yeah, awesome, I love a snowball fight for sure good snowball fight yeah.

Speaker 3: 9:27

I think it'll be a little softer than actual packed snow you might want to consider a snow hill too. I'm just that would be fun. No, yeah, we'll have to look into that liability situation.

Speaker 1: 9:41

Now she's speaking my language.

Speaker 3: 9:46

So we'll also be doing the cake walk, will be out there, the band is coming to get us all set up, and and the choir, so we really look forward to those performances every year as well. Awesome.

Speaker 1: 10:00

So go going back to celebration again. What are your times?

Speaker 3: 10:03

It is from eight to five, and our morning will kick off with Mayor Thomas Muir Introducing everyone and we'll have a moment of prayer, we'll have the presenting of the flags and the band In choir and then the rest of the events will just kind of flow from there. There'll be stage centric and when they're not, will announce from the stage where they can find the cert you know the next spot, so to speak, of things to happen.

Speaker 2: 10:32

And if people want to find out more, where should they go?

Speaker 3: 10:35

Yeah, our website is saying or texascom and Miss Debbie, our administrator, she's done a wonderful job and she always does Fielding the vendors. But there's actual spot at the front of our webpage. You can just click and get all the information.

Speaker 2: 10:51

Some things do require registration, such as the pageant and, I believe, the pizza eating contest, but there are links on our website and we will put a link at the bottom of the description for the what for the podcast so that you get to your sites, and then also if they want to donate to beaver builders for the upcoming Casa thing. We'll put links there as well.

Speaker 3: 11:11

Absolutely. I believe Lori Grant Brown is the point of contact over at beaver builders for that and we'll also be having our events Basically. Our stage list come out here shortly so that everybody will know what time things happen.

Speaker 1: 11:28

It's fantastic. So now let's back off the chamber a little bit For a second and let's talk about you, amanda. I know, I know that you have a Thriving business here in Sanger. Tell us a little bit about why you chose Sanger.

Speaker 3: 11:45

Well, I Chose Sanger because of the atmosphere. We have the Gibson entrance agency. We provide insurance for your personal needs and your business. So we're we're not just your home in auto, we also do commercial.

Speaker 3: 12:02

It was really important to me to be a part of a small town. I grew up in a small town and the way that the community gives back and and supports one another is truly important to me and I find a passion in that, which is also why I serve on the chamber. Um, you only you have to give back to those that give to you. And so Sanger just really fit the bill for us, the small town attitude. I know we're gonna have growth, but I know also Sanger won't lose its heart. We have this beautiful downtown area. The city's done wonders with our park and a lot of that's. Thank you to you, donna, and, of course, ryan. But it's just really important to be in a neighborly atmosphere. I'm not a 1-800 number, so to speak. I like to know my customers and it's very unusual if somebody calls that I don't know who it is and their name. So that's why we chose Sanger.

Speaker 2: 12:58

Small town, but big heart.

Speaker 3: 13:00

Absolutely huge heart, huge heart so. I'm I'm writing taglines down, that's that'll go in the book Small town, big heart.

Speaker 1: 13:08

Yeah, there you go so glad to have you here and we are so glad for your leadership at the Chamber.

Speaker 3: 13:13

Thank you.

Speaker 1: 13:14

The Chamber again has always been a great partner with the city and we hope that we reciprocate.

Speaker 3: 13:20

Yes, absolutely.

Speaker 1: 13:22

And we're certainly looking forward to celebration and all the other events through the holidays and through the rest of the year.

Speaker 3: 13:29

Yeah, I'm just so glad to be here this Monday after the awesome Songwriter Festival this weekend. I'm surprised you guys are even moving.

Speaker 2: 13:36

Well, we're not. We're sitting and that's all we're gonna do.

Speaker 1: 13:40

Barely moving Brain's not working yeah but it was fantastic and we know well we have the benefit of having captive artists. You know you hold their check long enough.

Speaker 2: 13:52

You can get them in to do an interview with you.

Speaker 1: 13:54

So you know, later on you'll you'll as we compile that, we're gonna put that out. So if you missed it, you'll have a chance at least to hear from the artists themselves and and I've got a couple artists I want to send to you for next year?

Speaker 2: 14:09

Yeah, we will.

Speaker 3: 14:10

Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 14:11

And that's that's one thing that we've talked about. You know, I've I say it and I've heard you say it in similar ways, but you know, a strong city and a strong chamber and a strong school and a turned off telephone, no, a strong, a strong chamber, a strong school system and a strong city make a strong community and, like with the Songwriter Festival, we're looking for something that could enhance those things that we already do Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 14:41

And try to plan those in a way that we can continue to enhance our events and the chamber events and those things that the school did. It was a busy weekend.

Speaker 3: 14:49

I mean we had homecoming, homecoming parade and the Songwriter Festival.

Speaker 1: 14:54

So so we're you know, we're super excited at my office to see just small, small things that we can do that make big impacts. And and so you do. You guys do the same thing, and the school system does the same thing. We we're all able to add small elements that do make big impacts in our community.

Speaker 3: 15:15

Yeah, it's just like adding, you know, another pebble to the water every time, and which is wonderful, and the fact that the the festival, the Singer Songwriter Festival, was free. You know, I mean those things are important to come out and have family fun, clean family fun that you can experience without dropping a water cash. You know, and so those are the things that make us special here in Singer and, of course, the people that we share it with.

Speaker 1: 15:41

Yeah, and I think we. You know, I grew up in a small town too, you know I think we all understand growing up. We would always go. What is there to do?

Speaker 3: 15:50

Yeah, yeah, you know you get, I haven't heard that there's a drag to ride around here. I'm sure office you know Police chief cheek has like make sure there's not a lot of drag race.

Speaker 1: 16:01

They figured out the state putting the highway there. Yeah that helps considerably.

Speaker 2: 16:05

Yeah, yeah, that's what we need, no.

Speaker 3: 16:08

That's all I did when we were kids. You know, ride the drag and get in trouble. So right, right.

Speaker 1: 16:14

But it was nice, even at the songwriter festival to see, because the homecoming dance believe was, and I, you know, I looked up and I saw all these, you know, very well-dressed young people and I thought, oh, they must have had a dance. They came from the dance, they came, came down to you know it's nice to see, yeah, absolutely absolutely where they were.

Speaker 2: 16:39

Very they were dressed very nice. I was impressed.

Speaker 3: 16:41

Yeah, they were beautiful.

Speaker 2: 16:43

I know some of those gowns. It's like wow.

Speaker 3: 16:44

I saw some of those pictures and now I realize I am finally getting old, because I was like, oh my gosh, so and so, so gorgeous. Like she looks too grown. And you know, it is just she was five yesterday, yeah, exactly. Exactly so. It's so fun to be able to keep up with social media and see the things that we're doing here and our kids, and so watching the growth yeah.

Speaker 2: 17:06

Yeah Well, we thank you so much for being here today. We're really looking forward to celebration and, again, we'll put all the links that we can in the in the bottom in the description so people can find out more about this celebration, find out more about the chamber, I mean, if they're interested in joining, and find out more about all the activities that you've got going on now through the end of the year for sure.

Speaker 3: 17:27

Yeah, we're. I mean this kind of it's. Most people wind down towards the end of the year. Apparently, the chamber just like revs it on up.

Speaker 2: 17:34

That's your time? Yeah, exactly.

Speaker 3: 17:36

So thank you all so much for having us. Celebration is Saturday, october 28th, from 8 to 5 here in downtown Sanger and safe spook will be that afternoon. So thank you so much. And that starts at. Safe spook starts at I Believe it starts at 2.

Speaker 2: 17:51

I thought I saw it 2 or 2, 30.

Speaker 3: 17:52

Yeah, so good, yeah, good time to get candy adults get your kids in a costume, so you can get some candy because you know you're gonna eat it now my daughter's birthday is like the third, so I use all that extra leftover candy in their gifts.

Speaker 1: 18:09

Yeah, you're a thinker. Yeah, I like it.

Speaker 2: 18:12

Well, thank you everyone. You've been listening to the 266 express live from downtown Sanger, Texas.

Speaker 1: 18:20

I'm John Noblett. I'm Donna Green and thanks for listening about our small north Texas town.