Chamber raffle has $10,000 up for grabs again

Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 7, 2007

By BEN LUNDIN

Staff Reporter

GRAMERCY – The River Region Chamber of Commerce will be showcasing its South Louisiana ties in this year’s annual fundraiser when it welcomes everyone for its first annual crawfish boil on June 15.

The event marks the third annual fundraiser for the River Region Chamber of Commerce, but unlike the upscale buffet events of years past the chamber is asking residents to roll up their sleeves and eat all the crawfish their hearts desire.

Attendees can also enjoy unlimited beer, cold drinks, fried catfish and jumbalaya and the possibility of taking home $10,000 in a super raffle.

&#8220We ask that everyone come out and have a good time and help support the local chamber,” said Chassity McComack, executive director of the River Region Chamber of Commerce. &#8220We expect a good variety of people, whether business people or people from our local delegation.”

Anyone can purchase a ticket for $100, which will admit two people and enter them into the super raffle, to attend the event in the open air of the St. James Parish Welcome Center Pavilion from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 15. Tickets can be purchased by calling 985-359-9777.

A one-man band will perform live music and a DJ will spin a range of hits for attendees while caterers continually prepare fresh Cajun food throughout the night.

Everyone in attendance is entered into the super raffle, which will give $1,000 to the first, one-hundredth and two-hundredth names picked from a hopper before the final ticket will be pulled for a $10,000 grand prize. Winners of the first $1,000 prizes can also choose to put their names back in to the raffle for a chance to take home the big money.

&#8220You have a chance of getting thrown in and not getting that $10,000, so it all depends on how much you want to gamble or how much of a risk taker you are,” McComack said.

Ticket holders entered into the raffle can be absent, but will need to assign an attending proxy to claim the award on their behalf.

The Chamber hopes to bring in more than 300 to the event, which will be paid for by ticket sales and several sponsors.