The Roanoker - July/August 2019 - V14

PLAY IN VINTON
WRITTEN BY LIZ LONG

Get ready for a ton of fun in Vinton!
FESTIVALS, CONCERTS AND WEEKLY
LIVE MUSIC are just a few great things
you can enjoy in Vinton. Your calendar will
be packed full of fun things to do with your
family and friends!
Major annual events include the Christmas Parade, Grapes & Grains, the ever-popular Mingle at the Market series, Steak Fest
and the highly anticipated Oktoberfest, a
new fall event put on thanks to the partnership with Big Lick Entertainment. Formerly
the Fall Festival, this event brings Bavarian
culture to Vinton with German-style food,
music and beer. Rocktoberfest also pairs
with this event, showcasing great music for
concert-lovers.
Executive Director of the Vinton Area
Chamber of Commerce Angie Chewning
and Big Lick Entertainment owner JD Sutphin
can't wait for another great Vinton gathering.
"We are very excited to partner again
with Big Lick Entertainment," says Chewning.
"The success of our Fall Festival kicked up a
notch (or two) with a German and Rock twist.
How can this NOT be an awesome event?"
Star City Playhouse offers multiple arts
and culture opportunities with live theatre,
including a "Munch Time" hour throughout
the year where guests can pop in with their
lunches and see a short play. Twin Creeks
Brewing Company, Bob's Restaurant and
Vinton Moose Lodge offer live music nearly
every weekend.
The always-popular Grapes & Grains
Festival (formerly the Vinton Food & Wine
Festival) sprawls across the beautiful Vinton
War Memorial lawn and offers attendees a
chance to taste wines, craft and domestic
beers and great food, listen to live music
and check out vendors selling their wine
and beer-related crafts and merchandise.
The Chamber of Commerce team will
celebrate a new office inside the Charles
R. Hill Senior Center, which also serves as
an event space available for rent, and hosts
a multitude of activities for senior citizens.
With their active programs, seniors can go
on day trips or overnight tours, enjoy potluck lunches, take dancing lessons, construct arts and crafts and much more.
It's true what they say about Vinton: there's
so much to do, you won't want to leave!
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Vinton Calendar of Events
››MINGLE ON THE MARKET

Held on the second Saturday of each month
(plus a few bonus nights where time allowed,
now offering four to six times for this event),
attendees need only pay a six dollar cover
for live music, great food and tons of fun with
your friends.

››VINTON DOGWOOD FESTIVAL

Each year this five-day festival draws hundreds of residents with carnival activities,
music, food and the parade.

››CREEKFEST

With live music, food vendors and special
beer releases from Twin Creeks Brewing
Company, guests will have a blast at this summer event.

››SENIOR EXPO

The War Memorial hosts this annual expo in
March, featuring informative talks, demonstrations and a variety of vendor booths such as
retirement communities, banks and financial
planners.

››ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW

Held at the Vinton Farmers Market, you'll find
plenty of hand-crafted goodies by local artists
- get your Christmas shopping done early!

››VINTON FARMERS' MARKET

Opening in May, the Famers' Market includes
special weekend events, such as the Mingle
at the Market on the second Saturday of each
month from June to September.

››GRAPES & GRAINS FESTIVAL

Formerly the Vinton Wine Festival, this popular event takes place on the third Saturday
in May, allowing guests to taste local wines
and craft beers while enjoying great food and
live music.

››FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Show off your patriotic spirit at the Vinton War
Memorial grounds, with children's activities,
festival foods, live music, and of course, fireworks in the evening.

››FEEDING AMERICA FOOD TRUCK RODEO

This July event at the Vinton Farmers Market features your favorite food trucks, along
with entertainment and activities, with proceeds benefiting Feeding America Southwest Virginia.

››STEAK FEST

Held in September, food trucks, restaurants
and caterers offer their best steak dishes and
dinners, while you'll enjoy craft brews, live
music and more.

››VINTON CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT

Golf-lovers can take advantage of this fundraising event in September held at various
golf courses throughout the area.

››VINTON FALL FESTIVAL OKTOBERFEST/
ROCKTOBERFEST

Downtown Vinton is transformed each October into a fun and festive setting, complete
with live entertainment, beer garden, petting
zoo, food vendors and children's activities.
With attendance reaching over 10,000, it's a
"don't want to miss" event!

››TRICK OR TREATING

This event is fun for the whole family as
downtown businesses open their doors for
trick-or-treaters.

››STATE OF THE TOWN ADDRESS MEETING

Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, they
invite members and others to join them for a
State of the Town address ($15 for members,
$20 for non-members) in December.

››VINTON CHRISTMAS PARADE

Kick off the holiday season with floats, music
and Santa at the annual December parade.
For more information on these events, contact
the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce at
540-343-1364 or vintonchamber.com.

The Roanoker - July/August 2019

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