By Debbie Adams
The Kings, the “band that plays everything,” performed for a huge audience at the July 11
Mingle at the Market in Vinton. The Kings have been around since the mid 1960s, appearing as
the house band and main attraction at The Kings Inn during the 1970s.
While countless bands have come and gone, this band keeps doing what it does best: pleasing
crowds, employees, and themselves.
Mingle at the Market concerts are sponsored by the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce twice
monthly during the summer months, and their crowds have grown in size and enthusiasm for
over a decade with nearly 125 concerts in that time.
There was something for all ages at last Saturday’s Mingle— food trucks (Empanada Nirvana,
Mrz. Sweet Cakez, Star City Sips, and the Local Lemon), a bouncy house for the kids, a mobile
photo booth, and beverages by Blue Ridge.
Once again, the William Byrd football players volunteered their time to set up and tear down for
the event; volunteers from Defy Gravity handled admission and drink ticket sales.
Sponsors for Mingle included Stage Sponsors HomeTrust Bank and Pok-e-Joe’s, the
Shepherd Realty Group, Blue Ridge Beverage, PFG, the Salem RidgeYaks, Rosie’s Gaming
Emporium, McDonalds’s, Davis H. Elliottt, Oakey’s, Pollard 107 South, Crooked Shoreline,
Upward Financial Planning, the Vinton Moose Lodge #1121, ServPro, the Virginia Credit
Union, the Town of Vinton, Roanoke County, Star Valley Container, LLC, McCarthy Tire
Service, Renewal by Andersen, LAMAR, Dirk Padgett Law, PLLC, Coastal Insurance Planning,
the Ashley Wickstrom Lending Team, Lee Enterprises, Roanoke County Schools, Sun Solutions,
EEC, MOI, My Mechanic, Vinton Roofing, One Stop Auto, and The Vinton Messenger.
Great local bands still to come during the 2026 season include Gasoline Alley, Five Dollar
Shake, Supafly Five, Big Daddy Raye, Solacoustix, and Chris Keaton and the Millennials.
Individuals or organizations interested in volunteering at the Mingle events may contact the
Chamber office at 540-343-1364 or email [email protected].
A new perk this year is renting a table at Stone Plaza to watch the shows. Contact the Chamber
for more information.
