Second “Mingle at the Market” scheduled for July 14
VINTON–The Vinton Needy Family Program will reap the benefits of the July 14 “Mingle at the Market” in downtown Vinton. This is the second in a series of four summer concerts sponsored by the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce and held at the Farmer’s Market. Seven Mile Ford band will be performing.
Like Roanoke’s First & 3rd Fridays at Five, Vinton’s “Mingle” is designed not only to promote local businesses and to raise the profile of the Vinton community, but also to raise funds for local non-profit organizations. The June event raised $1,000 for the Vinton Host Lions Club.
The Needy Family Program provides food, clothing, and toys to Vinton’s children each year during the Christmas season. Last year they shopped for, wrapped, and delivered gifts to 40 children, whose names were submitted by local elementary schools. The program is loosely affiliated with the Vinton First Aid Crew, who help Santa to deliver the packages.
“We are honored that the chamber has asked us to be a part of the Mingle at the Market,” said Jason Peters, First Vice President of the Needy Family Program. “All of the money we raise goes back into our Vinton community to support our children and families.”
Lee Street will again be blocked off from the Post Office to the Fire Department for the event. Gates will open at 6:30. Music from the band will begin at 7:00 p.m. and continue until 10:00 p.m.
Seven Mile Ford is a popular local group whose lead vocalist Christy Bowles was voted Female Singer of the Year by fans in the Roanoke area in 2009 and 2010. She is also a songwriter with a #3 Country Christian radio hit about domestic violence, entitled “For Crying Out Loud”. Bowles is the manager and does booking for the band.
Seven Mile Ford band from Roanoke will perform in downtown Vinton at the July 14 "Mingle at the Market", sponsored by the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m.
“We got our name from the town of Seven Mile Ford, just south of here on I-81, when we were on our way to perform in Bristol, Tennessee,” said Bowles. “Our bass player got a speeding ticket and we were pulled over under the sign that read ‘Seven Mile Ford’. We were looking for a new band name, had some new members, and it was perfect for a fresh start, so we adopted it.”
Other members of the band include, David Bowles on drums, David Breeden on keyboard, David Wirtanen, guitar, and Daryl Huddleston, bass guitar. Wes Bradley is their production engineer.
“Their play list reads like a Billboard music chart with everything from country to hard driving rock,” said one reviewer. “They sport a repertoire of radio-friendly and high energy original music, and tour major nightclub and festival venues throughout Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.”
Seven Mile Ford has opened shows for Tim McGraw, Sugarland, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, James Otto, and Jason Aldean, to name a few.
IDK restaurant of Vinton 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.
The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce will be selling “Vinton Collage” prints, “I Love Vinton” t-shirts, and TOV decals.
Sponsors for Vinton’s “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.
“We are expecting a great turn out this weekend for Mingle at the Market featuring ‘Seven Mile Ford’,” said Sabrina Weeks, President of the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce. “Come out and join in the fun! “
