Vinton celebrates the 4th with fireworks at the Vinton War Memorial
VINTON–Despite intermittent rain showers in the late afternoon, Vinton’s 4th of July celebration drew a large crowd, estimated at 4,000 on the grounds of the Vinton War Memorial, with thousands more watching from the Vinton area and beyond.
Vinton held its annual 4th of July celebration on the grounds of the Vinton War Memorial.
Those attending brought blankets and chairs to sit on the lawn and in the parking lot, while awaiting the Fireworks show by Master Displays, Ltd., which went off on schedule at 9:30.
A crowd estimated at 4,000 attended Vinton's 4th of July celebration.
The local VFW Post 4522 and Mayor Brad Grose opened the festivities with a flag ceremony at 7:15.
Germaine Fletcher, whose son is a student at William Byrd High School, sang the National Anthem and other patriotic music. Fletcher entertained with a medley of Whitney Houston songs later in the evening.
Germaine Fletcher sang the National Anthem and other patriotic music after Mayor Brad Grose opened the ceremony. Later in the evening, she sang a medley of Whitney Houston songs.
There was a Civil War skirmish by members of the 60th Virginia Company K, who also mingled with the crowd throughout the evening to answer questions about their group and the Civil War in general. They will be participating in another Civil War skirmish at nearby Explore Park on July 14.
The 60th Virginia Company K staged a Civil War Skirmish during the Vinton fireworks festivities.
Local band, the Kings, performed on the front portico of the Vinton War Memorial throughout the evening.
Throughout the evening, the Kings band played the oldies and a variety of other music on the front portico of the Vinton War Memorial, while children played tag and rolled on the front lawn. There were inflatable games and mazes to keep them occupied, as well as a juggler and balloon artist.
The scene was traditional small town Americana at its best, especially in consideration of the trauma many from Vinton endured following last weekend’s severe storms.
Intermittent rain showers interrupted the festivities at the Vinton 4th of July festivities late in the afternoon, but cleared in early evening.
Vinton’s Public Works and public safety crews were much in evidence at the fireworks show, but with a much more relaxed assignment than they have had over the past few days of cleaning up after the storm.
Captain Norman Jasper "passed the boot" to raise money to pay off the remaining debt on the "High Ground" Vinton/Roanoke County Veterans Monument and accepted a donation from Bryce Craft.
