Alton, Mo. –The Alton Chamber of Commerce met on January 22, 2026, for their first monthly meeting of the year. Among other things, the Chamber discussed the Walnut Festival, an OzSBI workshop, a scholarship, storing things, and the 250th Anniversary celebration.
Walnut Festival
The Walnut Festival last year had 83 vendors. The only two major inconveniences last year was porta potties and lack of electricity on one side of the square. The Vicki McGee band has already been booked for the Walnut Festival this year, with the Chamber looking for other bands. The Chamber is also looking to apply for a grant that would give them up to $5,000.
OzSBI
The Chamber is also looking to have an OzSBI small business workshop in May or June.
Scholarship
The Alton Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to accept applications from Alton high school seniors for the $1,000 scholarship.
Storage Unit
The Chamber voted to put all the Chamber’s things into a storage unit with the Culture Club to keep things easily accessible and in one place.
250th Anniversary
The Chamber voted to provide financial support to the Culture Club for purchasing celebratory banners for the 250th Anniversary. Discussion included creating historical timelines, displaying artifacts, potentially organizing historical strolling events or business displays in May/June, and having a school historical assembly in early May.
