The Osceola Chamber celebrated Three Kings Day in Osceola County for the 19th year on January 8.
The Feast of the Three Kings, also known as the Epiphany, takes place every year on January 6th. It is an intricate part of Latin folklore, and an exciting day for children. The belief is that the Three Kings will visit good children and bring them gifts just as the they visited the newly-born Christ Child in Bethlehem and bore him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. If a child has been good for the past year he will receive toys, but if the child was misbehaved or naughty, he would instead find a lump of dirt or charcoal. This tradition is much older than that of Santa’s visit on Christmas Eve.
For our Three Kings Day event, The Osceola Chamber presented all children age 11 and under with a new toy and the chance to win a brand new bike or tablet. Attendees of all ages also enjoyed goody bags with contributions from our sponsors, hot dogs, popcorn, and Gatorade, and photos with the Kings themselves.
Three Kings Day Osceola is made possible by a partnership with Experience Kissimmee, and contributions from title sponsor Orlando Health, and sponsors Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts, Florida Technical College – Kissimmee Campus, Kissimmee Utility Authority, AdventHealth, ABC Paving & Sealcoating, Toho Water Authority, Tompkins Family Foundation, Florida Blue, SkyWater Technology, and HCA Florida Hunter’s Creek Emergency.
Crowds were entertained by live music and radio personalities from Exitos 96.5, Rumba 100.3, and El Nuevo Zol. We had invaluable help from the Disney VoluntEARS, the Knights of Columbus, and the Hispanic Business Coalition Board of Directors. Florida Technical College and Sam’s Club kept us fed, Toho Water Authority and Gatorade kept us hydrated, and KUA made sure moments with the Kings were recorded for posterity. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando contributed toys.
As you see, it takes a village to bring this event to the community, so we thank all who came out to enjoy it. Check out all of the fun in the gallery, and we hope to see you next year!
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As part of this community, Premier Mortgage wants to help each and every community member have the most positive experience when it comes to home ownership, whether that’s in buying, refinancing, or investing.
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Earlier this month, members of the Chamber staff attended the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals’ (FACP) Annual Conference in Ocala, FL. This conference, first scheduled for late September, was postponed due to Hurricane Ian to December 6 through 8. At the conference’s annual awards luncheon, we were thrilled to learn that The Osceola Chamber President/CEO John Newstreet had been named the 2022 Chamber Executive of the Year for the state of Florida.
Following an extensive application process, which included assessment of the Chamber’s membership recruitment and retention, communications, and volunteer management, John was chosen for this award by a group of his peers – fellow Chamber CEOs from around Florida.
“This award is most humbling,” he said, “My fellow Chamber executives are all high caliber individuals who selflessly work for the betterment of their members and communities, but no executive can do it alone. I am blessed to have a tremendous team dedicated to excellence and helping others, and I am fortunate to have incredible support from my volunteer leaders and private partners who guide us and enable us to reach farther and higher than we ever thought wise or possible. Thank you to Cindy Lewis, my ‘right hand,’ who makes me look good and keeps it all together. And thank you to my team for nominating me, and for your dedication to our common purpose to be ‘Champions for Business and the Osceola community.’”
John will also serve as the Treasurer of the FACP’s Board of Directors for 2022-2023.
Last year The Osceola Chamber was named the FACP Chamber of the Year. It was our third time receiving the distinction after previous wins in 2017 and 2001. We will be eligible again in two more years. In addition, Chamber Executive Vice President Cindy Lewis and Senior Director of Business Development Robin Hughes have also previously won Chamber Professional of the Year in 2017 and 2019, respectively. At this year’s awards lunch, Robin Hughes was also recognized for her 20 years of service with the Chamber.
Earlier this year, The Osceola Chamber was Accredited with 5 Stars by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, putting us among only 2% of Chambers in the nation and only nine other chambers in the sate of Florida.
The Florida Association of Chamber Professionals is a statewide organization whose mission is “Advancing excellence in chamber management” and whose vision is “Enhancing Florida’s business communities by cultivating successful chamber professionals.”
