Vina’s annual July Fest set to return July 29
July Fest is an annual opportunity for friends and neighbors to enjoy a time of fun and fellowship, all while supporting the local Vina Rescue Squad and Vina Fire Department – and it’s time again for this favorite yearly event.
Set for July 29, July Fest will feature live music along with a variety of vendors, including food and handcrafted items. Festivities will also include a car show and, to top it all off, fireworks.
“This is our 27th year,” explained event coordinator and rescue squad member Denise Rogers. “This fundraiser has always helped us through the years and helped our community. It goes to help us buy equipment or tires or whatever we need that we can’t get grants for.”
The fun will be held at the Vina Fire Department, beginning at 10 a.m.
Car show registration continues through noon and will conclude with awards and a 50/50 drawing about 1 p.m. Awards will be given for best paint, best engine and best interior, and all makes and models are welcome. Proceeds from the car show go to the Vina Fire Department
A key component of July Fest is the Draw Down, held at 5:30 p.m., which awards the ultimate cash prize of $17,000 or a new vehicle – car, tractor or 4-wheeler. Tickets, of which there are only 325 total, cost $100. Rogers said there are still tickets left, but they always sell out. Tickets can be obtained at city hall, the bank or from any member of the rescue squad. The Draw Down is the primary source of fundraising for the Rescue Squad.
Entertainment for this year’s festival is being coordinated by Tony Pitts, and the live music line-up will feature Joseph Baldwin as headliner from 7-9 p.m. to close out the afternoon of music. Preceding Baldwin will be the Hurricane Creek Choir at noon, Country Roosters at 1 p.m., Chuck Clark at 2 p.m., Jarrod Massey at 2:30 p.m., Cody Bass and Colby of First Born Sons at 3 p.m. and Jordan Hester and Motor Pool Mafia at 4 p.m.
Following Baldwin’s performance, it’s time for the pyrotechnics.
“We have a huge fireworks show at 9 p.m.,” Rogers said. “People come from far and near just because of the fireworks show that we have.” The fireworks are purchased locally in Red Bay and set off by the VFD. “It’s just constantly going off. There’s not any downtime to it. The firefighters are lighting fuses one after other.”
For more information on the car show, Draw Down or July Fest in general, call 256-356-2581 or 256-356-4996. For more information on vendor spots, call 256-324-2135.
