750 attend Alachua chamber’s 50th anniversary gala

ALACHUA – Laughter, live music and a packed house set the tone as the Alachua Chamber of Commerce celebrated both its annual awards night and a milestone anniversary during the 2026 Annual Gala at Legacy Park last Wednesday evening.

Approximately 750 guests filled the venue for one of the region’s largest business gatherings of the year, marking the Chamber’s 50^th anniversary with an evening that blended recognition, entertainment and reflection on the community’s growth. Business owners, civic leaders and community partners gathered under the Chamber’s long-standing theme of Alachua as the “Good Life Community.”

The formal program was paired with a plated surf-and-turf dinner featuring shrimp and steak, as attendees networked and celebrated local accomplishments. The milestone anniversary was reflected throughout the evening, from the scale of attendance to the entertainment lineup designed to honor five decades of Chamber service.

Michelle (Shelly) Vickers of Scherer Construction stepped into her role as Chamber president and addressed the crowd as she began her leadership tenure. Her remarks looked ahead to continued collaboration, engagement and growth within the Alachua-area business community.

A central focus of the gala remained the recognition of individuals and organizations whose work has shaped the local economy and civic life. Okito America was named Small Business of the Year, while Dollar General received Large Business of the Year honors. Neil Burk was recognized as Volunteer of the Year, and Detective T. Williams of the Alachua Police Department was honored as Officer of the Year.

Entertainment played a major role in the evening’s celebratory tone. Nationally touring comedian Jeff Allen headlined the gala, delivering a performance that drew sustained laughter from the large crowd. The dance floor remained active as Richie and the High Street Rockers, traveling from Philadelphia, brought 1950s-era rock and roll to the stage, a musical nod to the Chamber’s five decades of history.

The gala was presented with Scherer Construction serving as title sponsor, underscoring strong private-sector support for the Chamber’s mission and programming. That support extended to the event’s fundraising component, where excitement peaked during the 50/50 drawing, which awarded $4,000 to a single attendee.

Former Chamber president Mitch Glaeser served as emcee for the evening and captured the mood of the celebration, saying, “The community was very enthused by the event.”

With record-level attendance, high-profile entertainment and recognition spanning business, volunteerism and public safety, the 2026 Annual Gala highlighted the Chamber’s role as a central connector for the region’s business community while celebrating 50 years of shared progress.

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