NORFOLK, Neb. -- A northeast Nebraska event made a triumphant return Thursday night.

The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce banquet finally came back for 2021, and it returned with a symbolic diamond motif.

Dinner came with a dueling piano contest and a diamond ring raffle for one lucky contestant.

Gov. Pete Ricketts also managed to join the festivities, along with Mayor Josh Moenning and several representatives from local Norfolk businesses.

Ricketts said the event was made possible by the people's conduct in 2020.

"It's paid off," Ricketts said. "All these companies here have worked very hard over the last year to keep people employed. You know, pressure makes diamonds. Certainly the entire state, the entire country, the whole world has been under pressure over the last year with the pandemic, and I really appreciate everyone's efforts."

Ricketts also mentioned the ongoing effort to introduce broadband internet to homes in Nebraska, saying 80,000 are still without basic speeds.