The Chilton County Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet Thursday night in Clanton.

In addition to serving as an annual business meeting, the banquet also awarded two prestigious awards.

Hull and Russell PC won the Business of the Year Award. Janice Hull and Crystal Russell accepted to award from Chamber Executive Director Mike Robertson.

“No one has been more instrumental in the Chamber’s success (than Hull and Russell PC), particularly this past year,” said Robertson. “No matter how you judge it, Janice Hull and Crystal Russell are huge contributors, not only to the chamber, but to the community.”

Hull is a past chamber president and heavily involved with the Chamber’s Peach Jam in June, while Russell helped the chamber this past year with their bookkeeping and accounting.

On a lighter note, both women were also recognized for a little less serious contribution — always being willing to dress up for whatever theme the banquet night has. That included dressing as cowgirls for Thursday’s Western theme.

Clanton First United Methodist Church was given the Community Spirit Award. The award isn’t given every year.

Chamber president Britt Culpepper said CFUMC has welcomed and served people from across the community. The church serves as a meeting place for many groups, ranging from the Chamber to Relay for Life, from Alcoholics Anonymous to the

United Way, Arthritis Foundation and Chilton County Humane Society,

Culpepper also recognized the church’s community outreach through programs like Upward Bound basketball, Civic Chorale and more.

“These folks have opened their doors and welcomed us all,” Culpepper said. “They understand the meaning of outreach.”

Guest speaker Barry Copeland from the Birmingham Business Alliance spoke briefly about Blueprint Birmingham and Adreane and Maddy Barrington provided entertainment before dinner.

On a lighter note, Hull and Wayne McKinnon won the costume competition for best Western wear.