Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 29, 1995 TAG: 9505020031
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-9 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Mary Beth Layman, director of special programs for the Town of Vinton, estimated that the event will draw between 25,000 and 30,000 people from throughout the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas.
The main event - the festival parade - will feature Tom T. Hall, a country music artist and Grammy winner, as parade marshal. Hall, of "Harper Valley PTA" - his award-winning single that sold more 6 six million copies - will greet fans on the front portico of the Vinton War Memorial about an hour before the parade, which starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Roanoke County Career Center (old William Byrd High School) on Gus Nicks Boulevard.
From there, it will go over the bridge and along Pollard, Cleveland, Maple and Washington and end at the Vinton War Memorial.
Other events of the day will include an antique auto show, a 5K run, craft and art shows, rides for both adults and children, other events especially designed for children and the music of several bands.
Another highlight will be the crowning of the Miss Vinton Dogwood Festival Queen at noon on the front portico of the War Memorial. The queen will be chosen that morning from 10 contestants, all seniors at William Byrd High School.
Antique autos will be on display on Poplar Avenue next to Vinton Baptist Church. The show, under the auspices of the Roanoke Valley Antique Automobile Club, will feature automobiles, trucks and motorcycles no newer than 1975.
First-, second- and third-place trophies will be given to vehicles entered in categories sanctioned by the American Antique Automobile Club of America. Awards will be presented at a reservations-only banquet at the War Memorial at 7 p.m. Among them will be the Mayor's Award, to be presented by Charles Hill, mayor of Vinton.
Mike Gilmore, a coordinator of the show, said more than 100 vehicles are expected to be on display.
The 5K (3.1 mile) run is open to anyone, and about 200 runners are expected, said David Elks, race coordinator. It will begin at 9 a.m. at the Vinton Farmer's Market, move along Walnut Avenue into Fallon Park, through the park to the tennis courts, then back to the Farmer's Market.
Art and craft shows will be open for most of the day at the War Memorial.
Layman said the art show is sponsored by the League of Roanoke Artists and is expected to contain works of about 35 artists. It will be a judged show, and awards will be given to about eight exhibitors, she said.
by CNB