Vina’s July Fest brings community together

VINA — The annual July Fest brought community members together to enjoy food and craft vendors, musical performances, inflatables, a car show with giveaways, fireworks and the muchanticipated draw-down.

PHOTOS BY MARÍA CAMP
The annual car show as part of Vina’s July Fest took place Saturday.

Comprised of 325 tickets sold at $100 each, the draw-down is a local favorite. In addition to being a chance to win money, it’s also a fundraiser for the Vina Rescue Squad.

Terry Wakefield of Brilliant shows off his 1984 El Camino.

Money from the car show benefits the Vina Fire Department. Both groups are run by volunteers.

Tasha Palmer, Nick Palmer, Kyle Palmer and Kaye Palmer enjoy July Fest together.

Some people pitch in to buy a ticket. When it got down to 10 remaining tickets, Mayor Michael Moomaw started asking if anyone having a ticket not yet called wanted to offer their ticket for sale, but nobody offered to sell a ticket.

“Way Down South” is one of the bands to perform at this year’s July Fest.

With two tickets remaining uncalled, as is the custom, the ticketholders were asked if they wanted to agree to split the winnings, or if they wanted to try for the full amount — $17,000. This year’s ticketholders, Wanda Raper and Clyde Baker, agreed to split the amount.

Marshal Rogers and Steven King, volunteers with Vina Fire and Rescue, listen to the music.

“I’ve never won anything before,” Raper, a Vina firefighter, said. “I’m very excited.”

Wanda Raper serves food to Jeff McAlister.

“I feel great,” Baker said. “I’m going to spend it. We support this every year, and we enjoy doing it.”

Lynn Hardin buys festival food from Jamie Green.

Multiple food and craft vendors turn out for Vina’s July Fest.