Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry

09/04/2026

🌽🛍️ Saturday means Farmers & Makers Market time! 🛍️🌽

Start your weekend by shopping local and supporting the amazing farmers, makers, bakers, artists, and small businesses that make our community so special! ❤️

Come browse the booths, stock up on fresh goodies, discover something new, and enjoy a beautiful morning downtown. There’s always something waiting to be found at the market! 🥕🍪🌻

📅 Tomorrow — Saturday, Sept 5th
📍 Jackson St. Just south of Washington Park
⏰ 8 AM–12:30 PM

Bring your reusable bags, bring a friend, and come shop local! 🛍️☀️

We’ll see you at the market! 👋

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

We had a blast helping create Debate Days for all to enjoy with some truly wonderful people and organizations! Watching the community gather downtown to celebrate Ottawa's history was incredibly heartwarming.

Families had the chance to celebrate, have free fun, and enjoy everything our community had to offer. From the Great Taste Debate and shopping downtown to the Old Time Fair, carriage rides, the Lincoln & Douglas reenactment, live musical entertainment, the massive balloon in the parade, and so much more, there was truly something for everyone to enjoy!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who participated, attended an event, volunteered, sponsored, shopped local, dined local, and helped make Debate Days possible. And to our incredible businesses, vendors, restaurants, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners — THANK YOU!

But here’s the thing: the community spirit shouldn’t end when Debate Days does.

👉 Keep showing up. Keep shopping local. Keep supporting our small businesses. Keep attending community events. Keep getting involved. Keep having the conversations that make our community stronger.

The best way to celebrate Ottawa is to be part of it. ❤️

Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to make our community a place where businesses thrive, neighbors connect, and everyone has a reason to be proud to call Ottawa home.

Thank you, Ottawa, for making Debate Days 2026 one to remember!

09/03/2026

🐻💜 The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce was happy to welcome Hope!
We loved being part of Hope’s Happenings and highlighting some of the incredible businesses and organizations that make Ottawa such a great community.
We’re also proud to support the Illinois Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s!
📅 September 26
📍 Downtown Ottawa
🔗 act.alz.org/IllinoisValley
Come be part of the community and walk with us! 💜

09/03/2026

50% Off First 2 Full Months! It’s a beautiful day to move into Ottawa EASY Storage

09/02/2026

Come walk with us!

💜 Every Step. Every Story. Every Person Matters. 💜

Alzheimer’s touches far too many families, and together, we can help make a difference. The Chamber is building a team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and we’re asking our members and community to walk alongside us — and help us raise funds for this important cause.

Join us on September 26 at the Jordan Block as we walk in honor of those we’ve lost, in support of those currently facing Alzheimer’s, and in hope for a future without this disease. 💜

📍 Jordan Block | 101–123 W. Main St., Ottawa
🎉 Festivities begin: 8:30 AM
💜 Ceremony: 9:30 AM
🚶 Walk: 10:00 AM

Whether you join our team, make a donation, or simply share our message, every step and every dollar brings us closer to a world without Alzheimer’s.

💜 Walk with us. Give with us. Help us end Alzheimer’s.

Register to be a part of our team or donate here: https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=19593&pg=personal&px=23819577

09/02/2026

🗣️ We Want to Hear From You!

The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry is hosting a 2026 State Representative Public Forum featuring candidates Amy Murri Briel and Liz Bishop.

As we prepare for the forum, we want to make sure we're discussing the issues that matter most to our community, families, and local businesses.

📣 Have a question you'd like the candidates to address? Submit it!

The Chamber’s Public Policy Committee will review submitted questions and use community feedback to help formulate the topics and questions for the forum.

Whether it's a question about the economy, education, infrastructure, workforce, small business, or another issue important to you—we want to hear it!

👉 Submit your questions through our public forum question form and help shape the conversation.
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/fXaMZiV71i

2026 State Representative Public Forum
Featuring: Amy Murri Briel & Liz Bishop

08/28/2026

See you at the market!

🌽🧺 TOMORROW IS MARKET DAY! 🧺🌽

Start your Saturday with a trip to the Ottawa Farmers & Makers Market! ❤️

Come downtown and shop local from your favorite farmers, makers, bakers, growers, and small businesses. Whether you're looking for fresh produce, homemade goodies, beautiful flowers, handcrafted items, or something unique, there’s always something waiting for you at the market!

☀️ Tomorrow | Saturday
⏰ 8:00 AM–12:30 PM
📍 Jackson St next to Washington Square Park

Bring your shopping bags, bring a friend, and come support the amazing local vendors who make our market special! 🥕🍞🌻🛍️

🐾 Leashed pups are always welcome!

See you at the market! 💚