Despite a soggy start caused by afternoon thunderstorms, Chamber Night on July 24 almost avoided inclement weather, but nearby lightning strikes prompted village officials to end the event early.
The fifth annual Chamber Night, hosted by the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, the Flossmoor Business Association and the Village of Flossmoor, began with many community members not completely dry but in high spirits, enjoying conversations with their neighbors and food and drinks from local businesses. This year was the first time the event was held in the parking lot of Flossmoor Commons on Vollmer Road.
Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson welcomed the attendees before thanking the team of staff members who had put the event together.
“They were sweating buckets today,” Nelson said before eventually warning the crowd that lightning could shut the event down. The afternoon high temperature was in the mid-90s before temperatures dropped ahead of the rain.
The Bel Canto Community Choir had time to finish their set and a brief encore before storms passing through the area forced Flossmoor officials to declare Chamber Night officially over. Unfortunately, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra was not allowed to play, and the other events planned for the evening were also canceled.
fluttering in a rising breeze as Chicago Southland Chamber of
Commerce Director Jennel Hooper thanks sponsors of Chamber
Night after announcing the event would need to end early
because of lightning from a nearby thunderstorm. Behind them,
crews begin packing up sound equipment.
(Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
“It’s a beautiful night, despite the weather,” Chairman of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Paul Donohue said.
“It’s such an important opportunity to bring people together in celebration of what’s important about our Southland region, community, small business, economic development and the chamber. Mother Nature played a role tonight, but it doesn’t detract from the value and importance of the event.”
Chamber Night is a partnership between the Village of Flossmoor, Flossmoor Business Association, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce and the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle.
