The weather on Wednesday, Aug. 21, was just about perfect—bluebird skies and a break in the summer heat, with the thermometer dropping into the 70s when the annual Healdsburg Chamber BBQ & Blues Party got underway at 5:30pm at Rodney Strong Vineyards.
About 300 people showed up, many dressed in blue (as the organizers requested) to celebrate the rock ’n’ roll “Blues” theme. Wine was consumed, barbecue was served, swag was distributed, and community members engaged in lively and diverse conversation.
“It was an unforgettable evening filled with good company, fine wine and lively music, all set against the stunning backdrop of Rodney Strong,” said Chamber CEO Tallia Hart.
“It really is just to celebrate the businesses and members, and all the achievements they have made throughout the year, and to support our programming for the next year,” Hart added.
Most of the Healdsburg City Council attended (aside from those members in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention), as did city staff, area businesspeople and their families, artists and educators. Attending in large numbers, local realtors seemed to have their own ad hoc convention, making connections that might have an impact on civic life into the next year.
On stage, the enduring local sextet Soul Fuse blasted the blues, with two saxophones and a trombone giving the music that Memphis feel. Naturally, attendees engaged in some spontaneous dancing, made flexible and confident by the Rodney Strong wines served. Kin Family Catering, of Kinsmoke in Healdsburg and Windsor, provided the food.
The event included several fundraising activities, including a “heads-or-tails” competition in which the winner received passes to all Chamber events for the upcoming year; and a “wine pull” where attendees paid $20 for a ticket, drew a random number and received the corresponding bottle of wine, donated by other Chamber member wineries.
“All the funds go to help support economic development, workforce development, our advocacy—just our programs and the events we put on throughout the year,” Hart said.
While final fundraising figures are not yet available for this year’s event, last year’s barbecue—termed a Barbecue Luau—raised about $12,000, much of which was donated to Maui in the wake of the fire in Lahaina.
A number of awards were bestowed, voted on by an appointed committee of Chamber members, included the following:
- Business of the Year: Healdsburg Lumber Company, which this past year moved from its historic location on Hudson Street to a new, expanded warehouse and store on Healdsburg Avenue.
- No-Profit of the Year: Healdsburg Forever, a community fund that encourages philanthropy in the Healdsburg/Geyserville area.
- New Business of the Year: Healdsburg Bubble Bar, Sara Quider’s “Parisian chic” champagne and sparkling wines tasting room on North Street.
- Business Person of the Year: Jim Heid of Craftwork, who by coincidence will serve as chair of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors in 2025.
- Emerging Leader of the Year: Jaime Gutierrez, a young Healdsburg local now with Sotheby’s Realty.
- Chamber Champions: Team William & Williams, a mother-daughter real estate duo out of Compass.
- Recognition of Outstanding Service: Elizabeth Holmes, for her accounting work at the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce.
The annual barbecue fundraiser for the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce will again be held in August in 2025. For more information, visit healdsburg.com.
