While it’s in between the busy holiday season and the busy summer season, the chamber of commerce is entering its own busy season over the next several weeks.

In addition to handing out community awards at its annual dinner on March 28, the chamber is starting to plan for this year’s Fourth of July celebration.

It all begins this week, with a deadline of Saturday, Feb. 28, for nominations for the chamber’s annual youth of the year award, business or organization of the year, volunteer of the year, and educator of the year.

Nomination letters — there is no form to fill out — can be submitted by email to info@wrangellchamber.com or dropped off at the chamber office in the Nolan Center before it closes at 4 p.m. on Friday.

“We’ve got some really, really great nominations,” Lora Lee Mason, the chamber’s executive director, said Feb. 20, adding that several already have been submitted with a week still to go before the deadline.

The awards will be presented at the chamber’s annual dinner on Saturday, March 28, at the Nolan Center. Tickets, which are $75 per person and include dinner, will go on sale soon, Mason said.

The theme of this year’s event is masquerade. Masks will be provided, she said.

The chamber is inviting its members, past and future volunteers and community members to attend the first planning meeting for the 2026 Fourth of July celebration. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the Nolan Center.

“This session will focus on establishing priorities, outlining event needs and gathering community input,” according to the meeting announcement.

The chamber last year cut back on trying to run most every event in the Fourth of July celebration, turning over the games and contests to community volunteers and groups.

“The town is full of great volunteers,” Mason said.

The chamber will continue organizing the parade, the fundraising royalty contest and its raffle ticket sales, and the fireworks show.

Cutting back on its Fourth of July responsibilities is part of the chamber’s push this year to spend more time focused on helping the town’s businesses.

With the royalty ticket sales just 12 weeks away, it’s time to start planning the Fourth, Mason said.