T-L Photos/CARRI GRAHAM Mayor Kathryn Thalman, right, declares Sept. 14-18 Chamber of Commerce week recently outside the courthouse in St. Clairsville. Also pictured is St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce Director Wendy Anderson.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE –The mayor declared Sept. 14-18 Chamber of Commerce Week due to the group’s work and dedication to the city.

St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman made the proclamation during the city’s Food Truck Friday event earlier this month. The St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce began holding the weekly food truck events earlier this summer in an effort to help promote local businesses and give back to the community. Food Truck Fridays are held every Friday and Saturday along Main Street.

Thalman said due to the local chamber of commerce’s “tireless” work in helping promote and encourage businesses throughout the Ohio Valley, she proclaimed a week dedicated to the chamber.

“I encourage all businesses in the community to take advantage of the resources available from the St. Clairsville Chamber of Commerce and to celebrate the St. Clairsville Chamber for their contributions,” she said. “These guys (St. Clairsville Chamber of Commerce members) work so tirelessly on our behalf. I’m very, very appreciative for all you do.”

Thalman said this proclamation was her first as mayor of the city.

Chamber Director Wendy Anderson said the food truck events will continue through the month of October.

“We have so many things going on. We have food trucks scheduled Fridays and Saturdays throughout the month of October. We are so excited,” she said.

Anderson said many events are planned during the chamber week. On Monday, the Newellstown Diner will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its grand reopening from 10-11 a.m. On Wednesday, the chamber will be serving doughnuts and Wheeling Coffee for $1 between 8 and 10 a.m. at Newellstown Diner. That same evening, the Bling & Brew event to benefit A Special Wish Foundation — Ohio Valley Chapter will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Chapz Bar & Grill along U.S. 40 near Morristown.

On Friday, the chamber will hold a business after hours event from 4-6 p.m. at Newellstown Diner.

Anderson said the weekend events have been a great success and have attracted people from all over the Ohio Valley.

“This is incredible. It started with just a small idea to bring more people to town and it has exploded into this event that everyone loves. People come from all over to attend the events on Fridays and Saturdays,” she said. “Every week it gets bigger and bigger.”

Prior to the proclamation, the St. Clairsville High School band performed for dozens of onlookers. Anderson said she hopes to have the band performance be a regular occurrence during the Food Truck Friday events.

“They didn’t have a chance to showcase what they do and what they’ve learned, so I told them they can have Fridays and Saturdays to perform here (outside the courthouse) during the food truck events,” she said.