VINTON–The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce (VACC) held its fourth and final “Mingle at the Market” summer concert for 2015 on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Farmers’ Market in downtown Vinton.
The WORX band performed for a crowd estimated at between 1200 and 1500 by Angie Chewning, Executive Director of the VACC.
“We have never had a turn-out like that,” said Chewning.
“The Worx never disappoint,” said Todd Creasy, president of the Vinton Chamber. “They helped bring in our biggest crowd of the year.”
The William Byrd High School Classes of 1985 and 1980 celebrated their 30th and 35th class reunions at Mingle.
“With the help of Angie and her collaboration with the William Byrd High School reunion committee, she was able to incorporate part of their reunion tour with our last Mingle at the Market,” said Creasy.
Chewning said the reunion idea will be offered next year again.
“If any classes–William Byrd, Staunton River, or Lord Botetourt–want to have their reunions, please let us know. It’s a ready-made reunion – all they have to do is invite.”
Fundraising is one of the goals of the Mingle at the Market series. Proceeds from the fifty/fifty tickets at the final Mingle will be used for community service projects by the GFWC Vinton Woman’s Club.
Sponsors for “Mingle at the Market” included the Town of Vinton, Allstate Gillespie Agency LLC, the Vinton McDonald’s, Miller Lite, Roanoke County, Home Trust Bank, Valley Bank, the Bank of Botetourt, AEP, the Caleb Mann Agency, Vinton Roofing, Cox Business, PFG, Winter Storage, GCR Tire Center, Grand Rental Station, Vertex Signs, Vinton Computer, Lotz Funeral Homes, Magnets USA, and Berkshire Health Care Center.
More Chamber events are lined up for the remaining months of 2015 including the Vinton Fall Festival and 5K Run/Walk race on October 10, downtown Trick or Treating on October 29, the annual State of the Town address and membership meeting in November, the Vinton Christmas Parade on December 3, and the New Year’s Eve Gala on December 31.
“I’m sad that Mingle season has come to a close,” said Chewning. “We are already planning for a great 2016 season. Thank you to all our sponsors, vendors, bands, volunteers, and, of course, all the folks that came out to support our event. Mark your calendar for the second Saturday of each month June through September 2016. And be sure to come join us at our annual Fall Festival on October 10.”