By Debbie Adams
Sunshine and an exuberant crowd of approximately 7,000 people marked the 70 th anniversary of
the Vinton Dogwood Festival on April 26.
The festival kicked off on Friday night with the Trial by Fire Journey Tribute Band at the Vinton
Farmers’ Market followed by a truly spectacular Grand Illumination Pyrotechnics show from
Grucci, Inc.
Market on the opening night of the festival
On Saturday, William Byrd High School senior Jada Johnson was crowned the 2025 Vinton
Dogwood Festival Queen by Vinton Mayor Brad Grose. She and other members of the Dogwood
Court (Brooke Brant, Ava Ashworth, Meera Raichura, Emma Rupe, Emily Fisher, Raelyn
Lancaster, Kaylee Makuch, Camryn Dullaghan, and Hannah Janney) were honored at a Queen’s
Reception at Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church.
Queen by Vinton Mayor Brad Grose. (photos by Debbie Adams)
Brooke Brant, Ava Ashworth, Meera Raichura, Emma Rupe, Jada Johnson, Mayor Brad Grose,
Emily Fisher, Raelyn Lancaster, Kaylee Makuch, Camryn Dullaghan, and Hannah Janney.
Members of the Dogwood Court are chosen by the faculty and staff at WBHS. The Dogwood
Queen is selected after an interview with a panel of judges on the day of the festival. She
receives a scholarship for $750. All members of the Dogwood Court receive traditional dogwood
necklaces.
Jada is the daughter of Tony Johnson and Coleen Johnson. She played William Byrd girls varsity
basketball, 2021-2025, and varsity lacrosse in 2021 and 2023. She is a member of FCA, Young
Life, Student Voices, DECA, the Leo Club, and Byrd Buddies. She plans to attend a four-year
university and major in biology to become an orthodontist.
Some other facts Jade has shared include: “I am a believer in Jesus! I am the youngest of three
(who are two boys). I am extremely motivated and persevere through challenges. I have
maintained a 4.0+ GPA and have been nominated all four years to be on the Homecoming
Court!” Last fall she was crowned Homecoming Queen 2024.
Dogwood Festival President Joey Nicely emceed the reception, introducing Beth Abbott, who
sang “God Bless America,” followed by greetings from Mayor Grose.
“Welcome, everyone, I’m glad that you are ‘In Vinton,’” said the mayor. “I want to thank
President Joey Nicely and all the members of the Dogwood Festival Committee and the staff at
the Town of Vinton who have worked so hard to stage this great event again this year.
“I certainly want to congratulate all the members of the Dogwood Court. “Of course, we are glad
that you are here to help celebrate the 70 th anniversary of this wonderful tradition here in the
Town of Vinton. Vinton Town Council and the town staff are very proud of all the wonderful
new things that are taking place in Vinton. However, it is great to have traditions like the
Dogwood Festival that play an important role in the history of our town.
“The Vinton Dogwood Festival, like our town and this country, has seen many changes and
challenges over its lifetime. The festival has overcome those challenges and so has our
community. The generation of our new Dogwood Queen and her Court will face some difficult
situations. The good news is that they are prepared with a firm foundation of a great education
from William Byrd High School and the understanding that no one should sit on the sidelines!
“You ladies have already proven yourselves as leaders and people who will not let others
determine your present or future condition. I am very excited about where you will take our
community, our nation, and even the world. Ladies, you already know that to succeed you must
be a genuine person who is willing to work hard in your career, your relationships, and your
faith. I am confident that you will be very successful in many areas of life. Along the way, please
do not forget your community and the valuable contributions that you can make to help your
fellow man.
“So, when you are 70, you can look back and say, ‘Yeah, the Lord used me as part of that growth
and innovation, and I was also part of those wonderful traditions, like the Vinton Dogwood
Festival.’”
Just about every square inch of downtown from Washington Avenue to Cleveland and Maple to
Walnut, was filled with activities on Saturday, in addition to craft and food vendors. There was a
huge turnout for the RVR-AACA antique car show (with over 100 vehicles), which moved this
year to the new Walnut Avenue parking lot.
Entertainment on the Vinton Farmer’s Market Stage included the eighth grade band from
William Byrd Middle School and jazz bands from WBHS, directed by Dan Plybon. They were
followed by the On3 Band and the Big Daddy Ray Band.
Also in the Market area were the Spring Valley Farm petting zoo and the Kids Zone sponsored
by Lighthouse Christian Academy.
Entertainment at the Municipal Building Stage included Lost in Space Camp Band, Gurlz with
Attitudz Dance Factory, a Strongmen and Strongwomen Demo and Feats of Strength with hands-
on activities for the audience, along with Andrew Nicely, and the Island Trio.
Vinton’s Planning and Zoning Dept. set up a display out front to elicit citizens’ opinions on the
2050 Comprehensive Plan outlining Vinton’s future for the next 25 years. The Comp Plan began
at the Dogwood Festival in 2024.
Not only was it Dogwood Day, it was also World Tai Chi Day, celebrated with a demonstration
in the parking lot of Vinton Baptist Church by local classes from Vinton (led by instructor Steve
Garay), Roanoke, and Blacksburg. The Mason Creek Bluegrass Band performed in the same
location afterward.
The Vinton History Museum and Vinton Library were open for activities with the RCACP set up
outside the library for pet adoptions.
A highlight of the event was the Dogwood Festival Cake (a float built by Dogwood President
Joey Nicely) and the 1,000 free cupcakes for the crowd donated by Kroger and served by the
GFWC Woman’s Club of Vinton.
anniversary, and Kroger donated 1,000 free cupcakes for the crowds attending the event.
which were distributed to the crowd by the Vinton Woman’s Club.
If there was a prize for traveling the farthest to the Vinton Dogwood Festival, it would go to
Grace Zhao from China, visiting the Scott and Deborah Dreyer family.
For the first year, the Central Appalachian Cherokee Tribe set up a booth at the festival,
participated in the parade, and offered walking tours along Glade Creek.
first time.
The Vinton First Aid Crew set up a first aid center on Pollard Street in the middle of the
festivities to administer first aid, if needed.
At 2 p.m., the crowds parted for the “Dogwood Stroll Walking Parade” through the downtown
streets, featuring the Dogwood Queen and Court riding in beautiful horse-drawn carriages from
the Lexington Carriage Company.
from Lexington Carriage Company.
The parade also included Vinton Town Council members, the William Byrd High School
Marching Terriers, the William Byrd cheerleaders, the James River Marching Band, the Island
Trio steel drum band, Miss Kitty’s Cosmonaut Stilt Walkers, State Senator David Suetterlein, the
Cake Float, Pipes and Drums from the Roanoke Regional Emerald Society, members of the
Central Appalachian Cherokee Tribe, the Virginia Tech Hokies Pep Band, the Southernettes, and
the Sparkettes Baton Twirling Group from Charlottesville.
Dogwood Parade.
The Dogwood Festival Committee (all volunteers) includes President Joey Nicely, Vice
President Heather Beamer, Secretary Susan Teass, Treasurer Jeff Teass, Publicity Chair Mary
Beth Layman, and Entertainment Chair Joey Nicely. Most have been involved with the
Dogwood Festival for many, many years and their job titles do not begin to cover their
responsibilities.
The committee thanked their generous sponsors:
- Platinum Sponsors: Town of Vinton
- Silver Sponsors: Spring Valley Farm, Kroger-Vinton, The Vinton Messenger, HomeTrust
Bank, Shepherd Realty Group, Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Teass - Bronze Sponsors: SFCS, A Cleaner World, Cranwell & Moore-Attorneys at Law,
Oakey’s - Other Contributors: Nita Echols, Brad Grose, Vinton Appliance, Len Hale
They also thanked the Town of Vinton, especially Vinton Public Works and the Vinton
Police Dept., Town Manager Pete Peters, Director of Cultural Placemaking and Events
Mandy Adkins, many other Town of Vinton staff members, and the Vinton First Aid
Crew, for continuing the Dogwood Tradition–hopefully for many more years to come.
At their meeting on May 6, Town Council thanked the Vinton Dogwood Festival Committee, volunteers (so engaged), town Public Works and Police Dept. employees, those who attended, those who participated, and those who performed at the wonderful festival.
More Vinton Dogwood Festival photos can be found on The Vinton Messenger
Facebook page.
