VINTON–The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual Fall Festival and 5K Run/Walk on October 10—damp but determined. The event got underway with the race at 8 a.m. and continued as advertised until 4 in the afternoon.
- William Byrd’s JROTC Color Guard opened the Fall Festival at the 5K race.
The Vinton Breakfast Lions served up their annual all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at the VFW.
Dozens of food and craft vendors lined Lee Avenue. Entertainers performed on the Farmers’ Market and Lee Avenue stages.
Animals and their owners withstood the weather for the petting zoo and traditional Doggy Costume Contest.
Most amazing were the volunteers from the Chamber and the Town of Vinton who glued the festival together. Especially noticeable were the student volunteers from William Byrd High School–from the JROTC students who opened the day with the color guard for the 5K race, their cadets and WBHS teachers who took part in the race, the cheerleaders who applauded runners as they crossed the finish line, and the art students who painted faces throughout the day. Many of the performances involved students as well—Savannah Amos, Emily Lang, and Tess Owens sang, while the Floyd Ward ensemble danced.
The day concluded with a surprise hit—the newly formed Derailed Band who had some of the crowd dancing in the street.
For more details of the event and more photos, be sure to check out Thursday’s Vinton Messenger.