The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce’s

annual awards banquet as always will honor local residents, but

this year it also features a regional TV personality.

NBC Montana’s chief meteorologist Mark

Heyka will serve as host of the banquet set for Thursday, Feb.

23.

“Meteorological Madness” is the theme

for this year’s banquet. Heyka will emcee the event and hold a

weather trivia contest.

Chamber director Kevin Gartland said

attendees should come with their thinking caps on to answer

questions and win some prizes.

“He’s on our TV sets every night and

this is a chance to meet him in person,” Gartland said. “We’ll see

if he can explain what’s happening with our weather this year.”

That night the chamber will announce

the winners of several awards honoring community members and

businesses. The installation of the new board of directors for the

year will also take place.

“It’s an opportunity to get together

and salute our community leaders,” Gartland said.

Four main awards will be given that

night.

The Great Whitefish Award recognizes

and honors one person’s lifetime contributions to the community.

The Citizen of the Year Award is given annually to an individual

who has made outstanding contributions to the betterment of

Whitefish.

The Business of the Year Award is given

to a business that leads by example, contributing to the well-being

of the community through job creation and public service. The

Tourism Business of the Year Award is for the business that

contributes to the town’s tourism industry while giving to the

community.

The banquet will be at Grouse Mountain

Lodge with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by a buffet

dinner at 7 p.m. Cost is $40 per person.

RSVP by Friday, Feb. 17 to the chamber

at 862-3501 or email visit@whitefishchamber.org.