By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual silent auction event benefiting the organization’s scholarship fund.

At the 2016 Boots and Bow Ties on April 28, guests can peruse and bid on items in a silent auction, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages and connect with other business people, all while supporting the chamber’s efforts to reward local students for their hard work.

“In its current form, this is just our second year,” South Shelby Chamber Executive Director April Stone said. “Years ago, we did it right before the golf tournament, but as the chamber has grown and changed, we sought an opportunity to pull it away from the golf tournament. It creates a whole new type of event.”

The event will be held at Douglas Manor, a venue located at 545 Chelsea Springs Drive in Columbiana, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The silent auction will feature various items donated by area businesses. Items in the past have included jewelry, antiques, art, movie passes and restaurant certificates.

“The most fun is watching people try to out-bid each other,” Stone said. “This year, I’m trying to make sure there’s something for everyone. People get back into the businesses because that’s the overall function of the chamber. We appreciate our chamber members, and our community members are so generous.

“Everything we make at the silent auction goes to the scholarship fund.”

This year’s event will also feature a live set with Comedienne Joy and a live auction led by Columbiana Mayor Stancil Handley.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

Along with heavy hors d’oeuvres, beverages will be provided by Alabama Crown.

This year, the chamber is able to offer three $1,000 schools to graduating seniors from public and private schools in the southern region of county, Stone said.

The 2016 recipients will be announced in May and will be recognized with their families at the chamber’s June membership luncheon.

“We’re not limiting it to your traditional, four-year programs,” Stone said. “We’ve awarded scholarships in the past to two-year colleges. Anyone that is trying to better themselves and make themselves a more hirable part of the workforce, we want to help encourage that.”

In addition to the proceeds from the Boots and Bow Ties event, a portion of the proceeds from the Shelby Shindig the chamber hosts with the Shelby County Arts Council, and the chamber’s golf tournament, go toward the scholarship fund.

Attire for the April 28 event is left to guests’ discretion, Stone said.

“People are welcome to dress in boots and bow ties, but they don’t have to,” Stone said. “I encourage people to come as they are. Come help us raise money for these scholarships.”