Director’s Note – October 2025
As the leaves turn and our town begins to glow with fall color, I can’t help but feel immense pride and gratitude for the incredible community spirit that surrounds Fall Fest. What a season it has been! From the Grand Opening of the Fun Zone and the always-beloved Johnny Appleseed Day to the hands-on excitement of Touch-A-Truck, our Fall Fest Luncheon, the new Dead Run 5k, and the family-favorite Halloween Haunt with Trunk or Treat — every event was a smashing success.
None of this would be possible without the dedicated Fall Fest Committee, whose tireless efforts bring these ideas to life, or the generous sponsors whose support ensures our events continue to grow and thrive. And of course, a heartfelt thank-you to our community — for showing up, for celebrating together, and for reminding us why Lake City is such a special place to live, work, and visit.
As we move into the holiday season, there are even more ways to connect and get involved. If you’re looking to get more out of your Chamber membership, join me for Wake Up with Heather on November 5 — a casual “Chamber 101” session designed to help members and new businesses learn how to make the most of their partnership with us.
Now is also a perfect time to join or renew — any business that becomes a Chamber member between now and the end of 2025 will receive membership through the end of 2026! Reach out to me anytime with questions or to get started.
Members: keep an eye on your inbox in the coming months. You’ll receive two important emails — one to vote for our Annual Awards (ahead of our Annual Dinner on March 20, 2026) and another to vote for our newBoard of Directors. Your voice helps shape the future of our organization; thank you in advance for participating.
Finally, mark your calendars for one of Lake City’s most magical days — Light Up Lake City, our annual Patton Park Tree Lighting Celebration. This year’s festivities will once again feature the Santa Parade through town and a meet-and-greet with Santa in the park. Adding even more sparkle, the Shops of Lake City will be hosting Christmas by the Lake downtown ahead of the tree lighting. It’s going to be a truly festive day you won’t want to miss!
With gratitude and excitement,
Heather Thomas
Executive Director
Lake City Chamber of Commerce