By Debbie Adams
Thousands turned out for Vinton’s Fourth of July celebrations with activities from 8 a.m. to 10
p.m. The day began with the Four on the 4th races kicking off from the Vinton War Memorial–
the traditional race at 8, followed by the Kids and Family Fun race at 9. This was the 13th annual
Four on the 4th race and the third one in partnership with Vinton.
kicked off with a four-mile race fundraiser benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest
Virginia. (photos by Debbie Adams)
The annual fundraiser benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of SWVA (BGCSWVA), which currently
serves students ages 5-18 at 10 locations in all-day summer camps at little to no cost to families.
BGCSWVA has locations in Montgomery County, Franklin County, Roanoke County, Vinton
(at Vinton Baptist Church), Salem City, and Roanoke City. The event raises over $30,000 each
year to support summer programs including field trips, academic support and mentoring, and
summer meals for kids. The race is presented by Fleet Feet.
Vinton Mayor Brad Grose welcomed a combined 474 runners for the main race and the Family
Fun Race that morning.
“This race is a great way to start the Independence Day celebration here in the Town of Vinton.
Thank you for being here today and thank you for your support of the Boys and Girls Club of
Southwest Virginia. If you have run this race before, you’ll notice some great improvements we
have made in the town this year. Thanks to Mandy Adkins, her staff, and the wonderful people
from the Boys and Girls Club that have worked hard to put together this activity.”
Samaryia Napper, a staffer at the Vinton Baptist Boys & Girls Club, performed the national
anthem; Vinton Police Officer Jesse Dibble fired the starting gun; and the runners were off on a
four-mile course through the streets of Vinton in the first race. George Tolton of Salem was the
first runner across the finish line with a time of 21:17.5.
The Family Fun Run also started from the Vinton War Memorial with the finish line (a balloon
archway) halfway down Washington Avenue in front of Thrasher United Methodist Church.
Each child received a medal for completing the race.
actually two races – the traditional four-mile run and this kids/family fun run down Washington
Avenue.
“Once again, July 4th in the Town of Vinton was an incredible day,” said Mandy Adkins, Director
of Cultural Placemaking and Events. “It was great to see so many community members
participate in the Four on the 4th race benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia
the morning of the 4th. Then, despite the rainy weather earlier in the day, the community showed
up strong for the celebration at the Vinton War Memorial that evening. A huge thank you to the
Vinton Police Department and the Vinton Public Works Department for all their hard work
leading up to and the day of July 4th . Both departments worked long hours to help keep the
community safe and ensure a great experience for everyone.”
Downtown restaurants (Pok-E-Joe’s BBQ, Pollard 107 South, and Twin Creeks Brewing
Company) began their celebration with a block party on Pollard Street from late afternoon until
the wee hours.
An estimated 5,000 people attended the Fourth of July festivities at the Vinton War Memorial
which got underway at 7 p.m. with another welcome by Mayor Grose.
“Hello, Fellow Patriots! Thank you for being with us today as we celebrate the founding of the
greatest nation on earth, the United States of America! We are honored that you have chosen
Vinton as your place to celebrate this special day.
“I want to thank Mandy Adkins, the Town of Vinton staff, and our first responders as they have
put together an exciting, fun-filled, and safe day here on the Vinton War Memorial grounds. We
have lots of fun activities, music, food – of course– and a big fireworks show later tonight.
“Our founding fathers would have approved of this party. As a matter of fact, John Adams said
that today should be celebrated with, among other things, pomp, shows, bonfires and
illuminations.
“Today is the one day when we can put aside our political differences and celebrate our God-
given freedoms! We should always remember that freedom is not free. Many brave men and
women have given their lives so that we can remain a free nation. Some of those great people
from Vinton and Roanoke County are honored in the High Ground Monument just to my left.
Thank you! God bless you!”
The crowd spread out on blankets and chairs on the front lawn of the War Memorial and waited
for the sun to set and the fireworks to begin. D.J. Flex provided the music throughout the
evening; there was line dancing and children rolling down the hillside; free patriotic gifts (red,
white, and blue hats, glo-sticks, and more) from the town, and the hugely popular foam cannon
and pit. Thrasher Memorial served free ice cream to those who stopped by– another 4th of July
tradition.
attractions at the fireworks celebration was the foam pit.
There were many in the crowd from outside of Vinton (including a family who just moved here
from Boston) who said that the town’s fireworks show had been recommended to them by
people in the area as one of the best.
Food vendors included Deb’s Lemonade (with not one, but two trucks), The Coffee Bus, Tinker
Mountain Kettle Corn, Tinker Mountain Shaved Ice, Munsey’s Smoke Shack, Kefi Greek, Get
Glazed Donuts, The Local Lemon, DG Ice (in the morning for the race and then, again, in the
evening), and Duck Donuts. The food trucks said that business was booming all evening.
Grucci put on another spectacular fireworks show that had spectators not just oohing and aahing,
but gasping in amazement.
the Vinton War Memorial was fantastic once again.
“I can’t say enough positive about the great work of our Community Programs, Public Works
and Police Departments and the hard work they all do to prepare and execute days like July 4th ,”
said Town Manager Pete Peters. “It was a full day with the Four on the 4th race that morning, the
newly added South Pollard Block Party that afternoon and, of course, the incredible fireworks
that evening. It is one of my favorite days of the year in town, to see so many come together to
celebrate and enjoy themselves. It is quintessential ‘Small Town Americana’ and thanks to Town
Council and our selfless team that pull it together each year.”
worked to keep everyone safe at the 2024 Fourth of July Celebration.
