The 70th Annual Vinton Dogwood Festival will be taking place this weekend–April 25 and 26. The two-day festival features 190 craft and retail vendors, three festival entertainment stages, street entertainment, the traditional antique car show, a free Kids’ Zone, a free Family Activity area, the “Dogwood Stroll – Walking Parade”, crowning of Vinton Dogwood Festival Queen and presentation of the Dogwood Court, and Strongman Demo.
The “Trial By Fire Journey Tribute Band” will perform a concert on Friday evening, April 25, at the Vinton Farmers’ Market Stage. The gate, beverage garden and food trucks open at 6 p.m. Admission is $5.00. You will need to bring your own seating and your ID. Also, enjoy a special Grand Illumination Pyrotechnics Show at dusk.
Saturday, April 26, is a fun day of activities for all ages. Events include a large craft show and business showcase, antique car show, live entertainment on three stages including Mason Creek, ON3 Band, Lost in Space Camp Band, Andrew Nicely, Island Trio, Big Daddy Ray Band, the William Byrd High School Jazz Band and musicians from the 8th grade William Byrd Middle School Band. Also, there will be Gurlz with Attitudz Dance Factory, Strong Man Demo, World Tai Chi Day Demo, and street entertainers roaming through the crowd, including a juggler, magician, and balloon artist.
The free Kids’ Zone located at the Vinton Farmers’ Market will feature large inflatables, hands-on activities, games, prizes, and a petting zoo by Spring Valley Farm. Also check out the family-friendly activities inside the Vinton Library and the RCACP Adoption Fair outside.
At 1 p.m., a 70th Anniversary Celebration Float with 1,000 free cupcakes will be provided compliments of the Vinton Kroger and served by the GFWC Woman’s Club of Vinton at the intersection of Pollard Street and Lee Ave.
The “Dogwood Stroll – Walking Parade” will step off at 2:00 p.m. on a route in downtown Vinton beginning at the 200 block of Lee Avenue and following Pollard Street, Cleveland Avenue, Maple Street, then back to Lee. All ages will enjoy the William Byrd High School Band, James River Marching Band, Scottish pipes, Island Trio steel drum band, Miss Kitty’s Cosmonaut Stilt Walkers, Vinton Town Council, Honor Guard, walking and novelty units, costumed characters and more during the parade.
One deserving William Byrd High School student will be crowned Vinton Dogwood Festival Queen. She will receive a scholarship, coveted crown, and a place of honor riding along with her court in a Lexington Carriage Company horsedrawn unit during the Dogwood Stroll.
Friday, April 25, Dogwood Festival activities include:
- Festival Concert: Trial by Fire Journey Tribute Band, gates open at 6 p.m., Vinton Farmers’ Market Stage, $5.00 cover, Beverage Garden and Food Truck. ID required for beverage garden. Bring seating. No pets.
- Grand Illumination Pyrotechnics Show by Grucci, Inc. at dusk. The concert grounds will be the best place to view the show celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Vinton Dogwood Festival.
Saturday, April 26, Festival Activities include:
Craft and Retail Vendors – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Pollard Street, Lee Avenue, Maple Street, Cleveland Ave.)
“Dogwood Stroll” – Walking Parade – 2:00 p.m. (Lee Ave., Pollard St., Cleveland Ave., Maple St.)
Vinton Farmers’ Market Stage and Parking Lot
- 10:00 a.m. – William Byrd Jazz Band and musicians from the 8th grade William Byrd Middle School Band
- 11:00 a.m. – On3 Band
- 1:00 p.m. – Big Daddy Ray Band
Vinton Baptist Church Parking Lot and Stage – Lee Ave.
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Craft Vendor Show
- 10:00 a.m. – World Tai Chi Day Demo
- 10:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Mason Creek Bluegrass
Vinton Municipal Building stage
- 10:00 a.m. – Lost in Space Camp Band
- 11:00 a.m. – Gurlz with Attitudz Dance Factory
- 11:15 a.m. – Strong Man Demo and Feats of Strength Audience Participation
- 12:00 p.m. – Andrew Nicely
- 1:15 p.m. – Island Trio
Kid’s Zone – Vinton Farmer’s Market Canopy and Parking Lot
- 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Large Inflatables, games, crafts, hands-on activities coordinated by Lighthouse Christian Academy and Petting Zoo by Spring Valley Farm and Cabins.
Vinton Library – Family Activities
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., (Indoors) Yard Games, Prize Wheel. RCACP Pet Adoption Fair (Outside)
Vinton History Museum – Vinton Dogwood Festival History Display and over 4000 historic artifacts for viewing.
Parking Lot on 7 Walnut Avenue—
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. RVR-AACA Antique Car Show, over 100 vehicles.
Festival Food Vendors–Lee Ave. behind Vinton Baptist Church and the Vinton Farmers’ Market
We are grateful for the generous support from our sponsors:
- Platinum Sponsors: Town of Vinton
- Gold Sponsors: Mountain State Oral & Facial Surgery, Pretty Paws
- Silver Sponsors: Spring Valley Farm and Cabins, Kroger – Vinton, Vinton Messenger, Jeff and Susan Teass, HomeTrust Bank, Shepherd Realty Group
- Bronze Sponsors: SFCS, A Cleaner World, Cranwell & Moore Attorneys at Law, Oakey’s
- Other Contributors: Nita Echols, Brad Grose, Vinton Appliance, Len Hale
For more information visit www.vintondogwoodfest.com to download a Vinton Dogwood Festival Schedule of Events, check facebook.com/vintondogwoodfestival for frequent updates, or call (540) 983-0645 ext. 4.
The Walnut Ave Parking Lot will be closed beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 25 to set up for the grand illumination show and the antique car show. It will remain closed until 6 p.m. Saturday evening. Cars must also be vacated from the Farmers’ Market by 2 p.m. on Friday and may return at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The Vinton Police Department will put out NO PARKING signs within the festival footprint on Friday. No parking is permitted in the festival footprint between 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The Municipal Building parking lot will be accessible by way of Walnut to Jackson Ave.
Jefferson Ave will remain open. Please plan for longer travel time if you are navigating downtown Vinton on Saturday, April 26th, and seek alternative routes.
Road closures and times are subject to change.
