VINTON, Va. – While Vinton’s Dogwood Festival is still set to happen this weekend, there were some changes made to the schedule due to the weather forecast.
If you were planning on attending the festival, here are some changes you can expect to see:
Friday
- The Friday Night Concert will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Five Dollar Shake and Mended Fences will take the stage. Fuzzy Logic will no longer be performing.
Saturday
- The Saturday Outdoor Movie Night was postponed to a later date that’s to be determined
- The Crowning of Miss Vinton Dogwood Festival and the presentation of the Dogwood Court will now be held inside of the Vinton Municipal Building Town Council Chamber. Only immediate family will be able to participate in this event
- The Fun With Fitness entertainment will no longer be held at the Vinton Farmer’s Market Stage and the Vinton Municipal Building Stage will no longer take place
- Brass Five, Island Trio and the William Byrd Jazz Band will perform at the Vinton Farmer’s Market Stage during the day
Despite the changes, there are still some events that will remain as planned:
- The Craft Show, Business Showcase, free Kids’ Zone and festival foods will be held at regular locations
- “Blooming Again” walk-by and drive-by decoration is still set to happen through Sunday
- The Vinton History Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Even if you can’t make the festival, you can still watch the shoebox parade on Facebook at 2 p.m.
Last year was the first time the festival hosted a virtual shoebox parade, this year participants took it to the next level.
“It’s exciting to get to see the creativity and they’re all so different there is just amazing variety,” said Mary Beth Layman, Vinton Dogwood Festival media chair.
The pandemic and the weather may have limited some of the activities, but the volunteers who Layman refers to as the heart of the festival, are committed to sharing this tradition year, after year.
“The Vinton Dogwood Festival is in its 66th year. We’re the oldest continuous festival in the Roanoke Valley and we’re proud of that and the community spirit behind it is wonderful,” Layman said.
Drinks and food will be available for purchase and the Vinton Farmers Market will also be available.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and admission is $5.
