Emily Bell shows off her ugly Christmas sweater and vest combination in her home Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, in St. Francis, Wis.

It’s nearly time for Christmas in Cullman, so that means it’s time to dig out your best or ugliest holiday sweaters for the Emerging Professionals Impacting Cullman Christmas Sweater Party at Rumors Deli Friday night. 

The party is the final quarterly social event of 2017 for EPIC, a young professionals group intended for people ages 22-39 who want to become more involved in the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and in their community.

EPIC is hosting the event, but the party is open to anyone 21 years old or older who wishes to attend.  

Chamber Director of Entrepreneurship and Education Wesley Smith said the Christmas party will feature two sweater contests: one for Best in Show and one for the Ugliest, and prize giveaways and raffles will be spread throughout the evening. 

He said some of the prizes include two tickets to Rock the South, a prize pack from Goat Island Brewery and a prize pack from Elevate Cullman. 

Admission to the event is $25 if paying at the door, but pre-registering will lower the price to $20. 

Smith said he would like for everyone who is planning to attend the party to pre-register, so an accurate head count can be made for the food. 

Since Smith joined the chamber and took over EPIC a few months ago, membership has risen and the group’s events have been well attended, he said. 

“It’s been going well,” he said. 

Smith said the word has been getting out about EPIC, and young people in the area are realizing the benefits that can come from being a member.  

The group has 50 paid members at the moment, and the group has received a lot of interest over the last few months, so their goal of 75 is in sight, he said. 

Smith said he would like to see the group reach 100 members in 2018, and a membership drive is already in the works for the beginning of the new year. 

“We’re not at our goal yet, but we’re getting there,” he said. “People are starting to get it.” 

To pre-register for the EPIC Christmas Sweater Party, or for more information about it, call the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce at 256-734-0454. 

More information about EPIC, including the membership guidelines and application, can be found at cullmanchamber.org/EPIC.

Emerging Professionals Impacting Cullman Christmas Sweater Party

Friday from 6-11 p.m.

Rumors Deli, 105 1st Ave NE

$20 if pre-registered, $25 at the door