California Area Chamber of Commerce Events
Below you will find detailed information about the events held by the Chamber. Come join the fun at our next event.
Click on words that are underlined to be taken to an additional link.
Calendar followed by event information.
24
July
2025
LoveBug Play
Center
Bugging Out
5-7pm
Teaming with the Missouri Department of Conservation to bring you an evening of creepy-crawly fun!
*45 min insect presentation
*Small Snack
*1 hour and 15 min of play
Covered with cost of admission ($12)
15 Spots Available
Reserve your spot: lovebugplaycenter.com
1021 W Buchanan St.
Ste #8A
California, MO
2
August
2025
LoveBug Play
Center
Learn N' Play
1-3:00pm
1021 W Buchanan St.
Ste #8A
California, MO
NOMINATIONS
Click on and Complete the following form(s) to nominate a Volunteer or Citizen or Business or Group of the year for 2025.
Forms must be completed by December 31, 2025. Please drop the form by the Chamber Office at 500 South Oak St, California MO 65018; or email it to [email protected].
Volunteer of the Year
2024- Missy Hindman
2023- Kris & Dyan Ingram
2022 - Tyler Clenin
2021 - Norm Weatherman
2020 - Dan & Carol Mesey
2019 - Judy Barbour
2018 - Sandra Ratcliff
2017 - Rita Hammerly
2016 - Linda Baer
2015 - Lisa Parry
2014 - Diane Eulinger
2013 - Brad Baer
2012 - Brenda Opel
Business of the Year
2024- Juul Spine & Sport Chiropractic
2023- Grace Print House
2022 - California Veterinary Clinic
2021 - Bonecutter Body Shop
2020 - Leeper Auto Repair
2019 - Clenin Farm Supply
2018 - Something Sassy
2017 - The Flower Shop
2016 - Mr. G's Liquour
2015 - Bond Pharmacy
2014 - Vision Health Eye Care
2013 - Evers and Co CPA's
2012 - Rackers Manufacturing
2011 - Bolinger Marketing
2010 - California Construction
2009 - Spielers' Inc
2008 - Proctor Lumber Co
2007 - Ken Vaughan & Son Const
2006 - Henley & Sons Const
2005 - Cal's Thriftway Inc
2004 - Burgher Haus
2003 - KRLL Radio
Citizen of the Year
2024- Jeff Korte
2023- Elaine Anderson
2022 - John T Kay
2021 - Ron Harlan & Bob Staton
2020 - Allen Smith
2019 - Chelsea McGill
2018 - Kenny Kunze
2017 - David & Beth Jungmeyer
2016 - Ilene Matheny
2015 - Judy Scott
2014 - Phil Lewis
2013 - Pam Green
2012 - Roberta Rothstein
2011 - Ann M Perry
2010 - George Shelley
2009 - Richard Schroeder
2008 - Patricia Kay
2007 - James L Martin
2006 - Paul Bloch
2005 - The Rohrbach Brothers
2004 - Norris Gerhart
2003 - Rob Hoff
2002 - Norman Rohrbach
2001 - Melvin Peterman
2000 - Alice Scrivner
1999 - Sally Vogel
1998 - Gary Schmidt
1997 - Morris Burger
1996 - Don Osborn
1995 - Gail Hughes
1994 - Bud Bolinger
1993 - Burl White
1992 - Ed Hurt
1991 - Dorothy Miller
1990 - Dr. Richard Fulks
1989 - Cecil Howard
1988 - Walter Loeber
1987 - Van Adams
1986 - Bill Kirchoff
1985 - Carol Rackers
1984 - Edward Sappington
1983 - Lee Roy Robertson
1981 - Clarence Buch
1981 - Cathy Cartwright
1979 - Eugene Bird
1978 - Bill Gilvert
1977 - Robert L Hurt
1976 - Lloyd Fulks
1975 - Lawrence Cook
1974 - Dr. George Riley
1973 - Richard Barry
1973 - Marianne Crawford
1972 - Jack Bowlin
1971 - Wayne Woodard
1971 - Harry Minturn
1971 - Sharon Kirchoff
1970 - Melvin Peterman
1970 - Rachel Bolin
Group of the Year
2024- Finke Theatre
2023- The Well CaliMO
Scholarships
Each school year in May several graduating high school seniors are awarded scholarships from the California Area Chamber of Commerce. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on academics, chamber involvement, volunteering, and plans for the future. The Chamber believes these scholarships will enhance the the development of our future local business entrepreneurs. Investing in California areas future! In '25 there were 10 graduates that received our scholarships in the amount of $1,400 each.
These graduates were:
California High School- Ayden Howard, Kylee Wright, Brayden Hallford, Brooks Volkart, Haylee Kiesling, Amberlie Traver, Macie Hentges, Kenzleigh Goans, Maryah Hoback-Blair and Bennett Gatlin
Jamestown High School-
Annual Golf Tournament
Typically the golf tournament is held in June
at the California Country Club.
The 21st Annual Chamber Golf Tournament will by held on
Friday, June 20, 2025
tee time of 8:30 AM.
REGISTRATION FORM
2023 Golfing winners!
1st Place Team-- Champions- Abby Spieler, Caitlin Phoenix, Doug Miller
2nd Place Team- Donnie Maquire, Alan Chambers, Roger Kay
3rd Place Team- Bond Pharmacy- Brian HIlls, AJ Perry, Spencer Wilson
Last Place Team- Hays Rock Works Team 2
Flight A was a 3 way tie- Shelter Insurance (Rex Hill, Don Vernon, Gary Hamilton),
Henley & Son Construction (Rodney Henley, Wyatt Henley, Jim Deeken) and
Juul Spine & Sport Chiropractic (Bill Juul, Robert Juul, Alex Fenson)
Tee Off Time
Thirty two teams enjoy the fun!
Cash prizes were awarded to top 3 teams, to Longest Putt, Closest to the Pin, 50/50 Drawing, and Last Place Team.
Local businesses sponsored
holes, contributed food & beverages, and provided door prizes!
35th Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival
Always held on the 3rd Saturday in September.
The plans are underway for the 2025 Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival.
Please reach out to the Chamber office if interested setting up a booth. You can email [email protected] or phone 573-796-3040. Please feel free to leave a message!
Booths are available for Crafters (handmade items), Commercial (retail items), Food. Booths are 10'x10'. Electricity is an additional charge.
Healthy 5K Walk Run :
Location: Village Green Shopping Center
Registration: 6:45 AM
Walkers: race starts 7:30 am
Runners: race starts 7:45am
Eagles Aerie 4027 Ham Breakfast from 7 - 9 am. Lunch served 11:00am until food runs out.
"Anything Goes" Parade starts at 9:30 am. Line up for the parade is on Smith St at 8:30 am.
Car Show from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Registration 9:30-11:00am. Winners announced at 2pm or when judging is complete. Moniteau County Fairgrounds!
Kids' Corner located at the Post Office from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Plenty for the kiddo's to do - FFA Barnyard, Bounce House, games, and more.
Flag Raising at the Court House 11:00 am.
BBQ Contest entry fee is $25 Adults & $10 Kids held behind Commerce Bank at 10:00am charcoal light-2:30pm, judging @ 3pm. Entertainment provided by Turner and Company from 1-3:30pm up the street from Bingo.
Play Bingo with the Eagles from 11am-2:30pm between Mexicali and Eagles!
Longest turkey sub sandwich provided by Cargill located in front of Commerce Bank at 11:30 am.
North Stage sponsored by Burgers' Smokehouse and features California School Students from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Click on the links below to sign up for an event.
Christmas Parade
Held on the first Saturday of December.
This year the date is December 6th, 2025 at 5:30 pm.
Parade Theme:
The theme is only a suggestion you can certainly be creative and do your own thing.
HOME & BUSINESS DECORATING CONTEST
The Chamber Home and Business Decorating Contest will be taking place in December 8th through December 12th.
The judging will be done between 6-9 pm
Monday, December 8th and Friday, December 12th.
Please have your lights on during these hours if you wish to be judged.
All homes in the city limits will be judged, but please call the Chamber office 573-796-3040 by December 5th to be guaranteed judging. Any residence wishing to be judged that is located outside of the California city limits MUST call the Chamber office before December 5th in order to be judged.
Prizes will be awarded to three winners in both categories. All businesses will be judged and the winner will receive the traveling Santa trophy! A "Best of Show" will be recognized at Proctor Park.
Christmas Tree Lighting
float
City Fire
City Police
Frosty
float
7th Annual
Christmas
in
Proctor Park
Light Up the Park
The 7th Annual “Christmas in Proctor Park” will be held in 2025! It has been a huge success and the Chamber thinks it was well worth the efforts of the participating businesses, the Chamber, and the City of California to continue!
If you participated last year, you will be assigned to the same spot this year unless you wish to move. If you do wish to be relocated, you must let Rita at the Chamber office know ASAP! If you do not want to participate this year, please let her know, as well. If you are a new participant and wish to join in the fun, please let Rita know. She will see that you are assigned a place for your display.
[email protected]
573-796-3040
Annual Dinner & Business Meeting
The Annual Dinner is held on the 4th Saturday in January.
The next annual dinner will be on January 25, 2025 at Tipton Knights of Columbus, 117 E Hwy 50.
Annual Meeting at 5 pm, social hour starting at 5:45 & check in opens with Picadilly, Silent Auction & Live Auction items, award presentations at 6:30, dinner at 7:00.
Tickets $25 Each--RSVP to Rita by January 17th. Scholarship Fund Raiser will complete the evening of fun!
Annual Dinner
Dinner
2021 Menu
catered by Sweet Chipolte
Piccadilly Auction
lots of fun for all
Norm Weatherman
2021 Volunteer of the Year
nominated by Chamber Board Members
Bob Staton & Ron Harlan
2021 Citizen of the Year
nominate a citizen for next year
Bonecutter Body Shop
2021 Business of the Year
nominate a business for next year
Items for Piccadilly Auction
Items for Piccadilly Auction
Items for Piccadilly Auction
Easter Egg Hunt
Held on the Saturday week prior to Easter with a rain date of the Saturday of the weekend of Easter.
2025 Easter Egg Hunt was held April 12 at 1:00 pm in Proctor Park near the East Shelter House. Prizes are awarded to each age group. Sponsored by Commerce Bank!