Mingle at the Market honors first responders, hopes to reach $100,000 goal for Vinton Relay for Life
VINTON–On August 11, the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the third of this summer’s Mingle at the Market events.
This Mingle has special significance. The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce is honoring the first responders in the Vinton Public Works, EMS, Fire and Police Departments, and the AEP employees who worked so diligently for the community in the aftermath of the July storm which caused widespread power outages and destruction to the Vinton area. They will be admitted to this Mingle at the Market free of charge.
“I would like to thank the AEP employees, First Responders and the Vinton Public Works for all of their help and hard work during the recent power outage. I appreciate all that you do and I hope you enjoy Mingle at the Market,” said Sabrina Weeks, President of the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber also hopes to help put the Vinton Relay for Life over the top in reaching their fundraising goal of $100,000 for the American Cancer Society. The 50/50 proceeds on August 11 will be donated to Relay, whose fundraising year ends on August 31. Vinton is again in the running for several Relay awards, including highest per capita donations.
As of August 7, the Vinton Relay for Life had raised $98,904. Carolyn Williams, cancer survivor and the Vinton area co-chair for Vinton Relay for Life in past years, recently celebrated her 70th birthday with one request: that in lieu of gifts, attendees make donations to the Vinton Relay. Williams received $1500, matched by Don and Tammy Halliwill. Williams is celebrating her fifth year out being cancer free.
Mingle at the Market will again be held at the Vinton Farmer’s Market on Lee Street in downtown Vinton.
The gates will open at 6:30. Mark Stegall, who is a graduate of William Byrd High School will open. He plays with different area bands and also performs as a solo act. He has recently appeared at Bob’s Restaurant, Blues BBQ, and the Brambleton Deli, playing classic rock and blues, classic country, and Americana.
Side Show Band will follow, playing a variety of mainstream rock hits from the 70’s through today.
Side Show Band will perform on August 11 at Vinton's Mingle at the Market, the third in this summer's series of concerts. Gates will open at the Farmer's Market in downtown Vinton at 6:30 p.m.
IDK restaurant will again be selling concessions. There will be an adult beverage garden where beer, wine, and wine coolers may be purchased until 9:30 p.m.
Sponsors for Vinton’s third Mingle at the Market include IDK, Miller Lite, PFG, Valley Bank, Caleb Mann Insurance Agency, Balance Chiropractic, Super Dollar, Atlantic Bay Mortgage, Changing Seasons Home Health Care, and the Vinton McDonald’s, as well as AEP, First Citizens Bank, Carilion Clinic, Bob’s Restaurant, Neely’s Accounting, Cox Business, New York Life, Grand Rental Station, and Vertex Signs.
Admission is $5.00. Attendees must be 21 and older, and ID is required. No pets or children are permitted.
“Thanks to all the Chamber business members, volunteers, attendees, and of course The Worx, for making our first event of the year an all-time record event for attendance,” said Don Halliwill, chairman of the Mingle at the Market series. “Despite the thunderstorm that kicked off our second Mingle event on July 14th, the crowd still came, and Seven Mile Ford still played, and we ended up having solid attendance and a great time! I think the fact that the crowd was good even when the weather wasn’t is an indication that “Mingle-madness” is catching and that folks are making it part of their summer routine to attend the events and support businesses in Vinton before and after the events. We’re looking forward to keeping the crowds coming, and the music and fun rolling on Saturday, August 11th, with the Side Show Band and Mark Stegall opening up the show! Finally, we will be thanking all ‘First Responder’ attendees for their efforts in time of community need by offering free admission to the event.”
The fourth and final Mingle at the Market will be on September 8 with a performance by Fuzzy Logic Band.
