Big Bear Chamber hosting free candidates forum Sept. 24 — but which races are on the agenda?

The Big Bear Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 2026 Local Candidates Forum on Thursday, September 24, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Destination Big Bear, 713 Stocker Road in Big Bear Lake^[1]. The event is free and open to the public, giving valley residents a structured opportunity to hear directly from the people seeking to represent local boards and agencies — and to weigh in before November ballots are cast^[2].

What to expect at the forum

The format is moderated: candidates will field questions prepared by the Chamber's Forum Committee and a moderator, as well as questions submitted in advance by Chamber members^[2]. Light refreshments and light fare will be served, and the event will be recorded^[2].

For residents who can't make it to Stocker Road in person, a virtual Zoom viewing option will be available. The link will be posted on the Chamber's event page and shared by email and on the Chamber's Instagram on the day of the event, prior to the forum's start^[2].

Who's on the ballot?

This is where the picture is incomplete. The Chamber's event listing describes candidates "seeking to represent local boards and agencies throughout the Big Bear Valley" but does not name the specific races, the agencies involved, or any of the participating candidates. For valley residents deciding whether to attend — or trying to do their homework beforehand — that's the most important missing piece.

The artifact text and event page do not specify whether the forum will cover seats on the Big Bear Lake City Council, the Big Bear City Community Services District, school boards, water or fire agency boards, or some combination. That information was not available from the Chamber's published materials at the time of this story.

To find out which races and candidates will be featured, contact the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce directly at (909) 866-4607^[1].

How to register

Registration is free but requested so organizers can plan for seating and refreshments^[2]. To sign up, visit the Chamber's event page at business.bigbearchamber.com (opens in a new tab). The Zoom link for remote attendees will appear on that same page on September 24, before the forum begins^[2].