PINEVILLE — The Bell County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony has been scheduled for Saturday, May 8. The event will be held at the Pine Mountain State Resort Park and festivities will begin at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the event are $35 per person — which includes reception, dinner and entertainment — and can be purchased at the Bell County Chamber of Commerce Office, or through any board member.

Chamber members are currently requesting nominations for dinner awards. This year, the awards consist of the following categories: Community Appearance, Community Development, Leadership, Outstanding Contribution, Volunteer of the Year, Historical Preservation, Humanitarian, and Industry Appreciation.

Moreover, chamber members are looking for gift basket donations for the event — to help promote local businesses, services, and/or organizations. Donated gift baskets will be given out as door prizes on that day. Those interested in donating are encouraged to contact the Chamber immediately, so officials can place supporter’s names on the list of Door Prize Sponsors.

Rik Roberts will be the guest speaker at this year’s dinner event. Roberts, a native of Lexington, Ky., started headlining at America’s top comedy clubs in 1997, and has since become a favorite at The Improv, The Punchline, Funny Bone and many more.

Rik moved to Nashville, Tenn., in 1998 and quickly appeared in videos on Great American Country (GAC) — with regular appearances on syndicated morning shows.

His dedication to “clean” comedy earned him an episode on the Emmy Award winning “Bananas Family Comedy” show.

Shortly after that, Roberts was tapped to expand his Barney Fife Impression on “Comedy at Large.” He now resides in Nashville with his wife and son, and enjoys teaching comedy classes at his home club, “Zanies.”

For additional information or to reserve seating, call (606)248-1075.

Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.