PAL-CON, Ltd. earned the Rising Star Award. Randy Thompson accepted the award.

It was a night of excitement, celebration and reflection when more than 500 business men and women gathered at City Hall at City Limits Friday night to attend the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet.

A steak dinner was served to guests sitting at tables decorated in a safari theme by corporate sponsors.

Attendees bid on more than $30,000 in auction items and listened as this year's business awards were announced.

Emily Roberson was recognized as the former president of the ambassadors by current president Connie Snider.

Jimmy Chew was recognized as the former board chairman by current chair Glenn Newberry. Chew also won the Beulah Brown Ambassador of the Year award.

PAL-CON, Ltd. won the Rising Star Award; CiCi's Pizza won the Shining Spur Award; and HEB won the Blazing Boot Award.

In a more somber moment, Bob Traweek, a long-time dairyman who died last year in a farm accident, was named Agriculture Producer of the Year.

His family accepted the award.

Jay and Shayne Procter of Jay Procter Farms received the Entrepreneur of Agriculture award, while Dean Taylor received Friend of Agriculture.