The Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual Mardi Gras Ball, a black-tie optional affair that will begin with cocktail hour at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at Abingdon Ruritan Club, Bena.

Nominations for chamber awards to be presented that night are due by next Friday, Jan. 6.

The evening will include a New Orleans style dinner, live jazz and Dixieland music performed by Good Shot Judy, and recognition of the chamber’s accomplishments for 2016 and its goals for 2017, said Gloria Mazzella Williams, the chamber’s executive director. Sponsorships are available and tickets are $45 per person.

A highlight of the program will be announcement of the 2016 Business Award Winners, Williams said. The five award categories are: Small Business of the Year, Nonprofit Organization of the Year, Best New Business (in business from 1-3 years), Professional of the Year, and the LOVE Gloucester Award (recognizing a business which exemplifies what it means to liv...