Don't Miss the 44th Annual Trenton Awards Banquet This Saturday at the Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club

So far, about 120 people will be in attendance this Saturday, Jan. 18 at the 44th annual City Awards Banquet at the Grosse Ile Golf and County Club. 

However, according to the Trenton Civic Commission, in the past those numbers averaged twice that many people.

“We used to have between 200 to 250 people in attendance at these events,” Scott Barr, co-chairmen of the awards banquet, said Friday.

This is the first year the event will be held outside the City of Trenton, and one reason for the drop in ticket sales, Barr said.

“I would have liked to keep it in Trenton, but it doesn’t have as many banquet venues anymore,” Barr said. “The Knights of Columbus used to give us a great rate at the time…but we have some new people on our commission who feel (the venue) needs to be updated.”

Barr said the committee previewed several locations, including Crystal Gardens, The Italian-American Hall, The Grand and Chateau on the River, before settling on the country club. 

But the City Awards Banquet is more about the people of the city, not the other way around, Barr said.

“I feel if you’re nominated for an award you deserve to have a nice night out,” he said. “We have to look for the right place at the right price."

This year’s award categories include Trentonite of the Year, Outstanding Woman, Outstanding Man, Good Neighbor of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Outstanding Trenton Youth, Charlie Brown and other special recognition awards.

The Trenton Police and Fire Departments will be in attendance to hand out awards for Officers and Firefighters of the Year.

Tickets are still available for $25 and can be purchased at the door. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvre will be served at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. which includes dessert and an open bar. The ceremony will also feature live music by the Southern Great Lakes Symphony Wind Duo.

Reservations can still be made for parties of 10 or more.