The Vinton History Museum and Historical Society has entered the Hotel Roanoke Fashions for
Evergreens competition for the fifth time. The annual event is a fundraiser for the United Way of
Roanoke Valley. Fashions for Evergreens opens to the public on Thanksgiving Day.
This year over 30 businesses and organizations from across the Roanoke Valley have been
invited to participate. One of the benefits of competing in the Fashions for Evergreens event is
the publicity it can bring to your cause or organization.
The museum won second place with its first entry in 2021 with a tree decorated with Victorian
ornaments which had been donated to the museum. Being a winner in the 2021 competition put
them on the list of participants for subsequent years.
The second year, the museum’s tree featured dogwood flowers, paying tribute to the town’s
Vinton Dogwood Festival. That tree was followed by “Treedazzled,” featuring ornaments made
from crocheted doilies and costume jewelry. Last year, the theme was Santas— hundreds of
Santas.
Now in 2025, the staff and volunteers have collected over 500 snowmen— ornaments and free-
standing, on and around not one, but two trees. The museum estimates that about 99% of the
Santas were donated by the community.
Volunteers Thomas and Aaron Layman arrived at the Hotel Roanoke early on Nov. 23 to set up
the trees and hang the lights. The trees were then lifted onto the Hokie Wall, a prime location.
Others spent the afternoon decorating the trees and the surrounding ledge. (The snowman features a broom from Julie Tucei’s horse barn and boots from Vinton Planning and Zoning.)
The Fashions for Evergreens trees will be on display at the hotel during the holiday season from
Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day. The community is encouraged to tour the hotel to
see each tree and vote for their favorite with a monetary donation, which benefits the United
Way and the families and non-profit partners served by the organization. Those unable to attend
may vote online after viewing photos of the trees.
Mark Frye, owner of Creative Occasions Events, Flowers, and Gifts in Vinton, has participated
in the Fashions for Evergreens competition for many years. This year he is again in charge of all the holiday designs and decorations at the hotel, including decorating the huge lobby tree, and
the tree for his own business, which is always spectacular.
The Bonsack Chick-fil-A also has an entry in this year’s competition.
Stop by the Hotel Roanoke during the holidays and vote with your dollar for a Vinton tree. The
tree which raises the most funds is honored with the People’s Choice Award. Or you can vote
online at: https://givebutter.com/Fashions25.
Through a $10 donation, you can even win a chance on an overnight stay at the Hotel Roanoke.
