Strong Community Turnout Highlights First Vint Hill Summer Block Party

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Admin

A section along Vint Hill’s “main street” came to life last Friday night as Vint Hill Village, LLC, backed by perfect spring weather and a strong turnout by members of the community, kicked off its summer block party series.

Hundreds of people came out to the free event over the course of four hours, filling the open area and parking lot at 4263 Aiken Drive with activity. Local food trucks Hidden Julles’ The Rambler and Roaming Rotisserie did brisk business all evening, while the designated dessert provider, A-1 Kettle Korn of Virginia, was hopping (and popping) throughout the evening mini festival.

Attendees had their choice of entertainment options. Singer/songwriter Matthew Ralph provided live music, drawing a crowd of listeners—many of whom brought lawn chairs and set up in front of a porch that doubled as the main stage. Kids armed with sidewalk chalk transformed a blocked-off parking lot into an artist’s haven, while children and adults alike tried their hand tossing beanbags in games of corn hole.

At 7PM, the party shifted to the Vint Hill Theater on the Green for 91 attendees, who took in a free showing of the movie “Minions.”

The evening’s star attraction may have been the Vint Hill Coffee tent. Set up just yards from where they will open the community’s first dedicated coffee shop in a few weeks, Vint Hill Coffee owners Lori D’Amico and Chris Keen poured coffee and talked with future customers all evening. The block party was the husband-and-wife team’s first official public appearance representing their newest venture as they close in on opening their shop at 4257 Aiken Drive, right next to the Vint Hill Post Office. More details about the shop and its offerings will be out very soon, but we’re excited to report that they will not just sell individual cups of coffee, but also whole bags—all of it roasted on-site. Free Wi-Fi and plenty of tables for relaxing are also part of the shop’s plans.

The block party series continues with one event each month through August. The events, aimed at showcasing Vint Hill as a community gathering place, lead into the second annual Vint Hill Fall Festival, set for Saturday, Sept. 24.

“The first block party was beyond our expectations,” says Vint Hill Village, LLC President Ed Moore. “The turnout was tremendous, the vendors were very pleased, and even the weather was perfect. It was another example of how well Aiken Drive will serve as our community’s Main Street as our vision for Vint Hill continues to evolve. We can’t wait for May’s event!”

The tentative block party schedule is as follows:

Friday, May 13

Friday, June 10

Friday, July 8

Friday, Aug. 12

Each event will be from 4PM-8PM in the same location—just off of Aiken Drive, just across Kennedy Road and down Aiken Drive from the Vint Hill Dog Park. (Did we mention the block parties are 100% dog-friendly events?) A variety of food vendors will be featured, as will entertainment and special events. Specific details will be announced as each date approaches. The events are free to attend, and open to everyone.

The block parties are hosted and staffed by Vint Hill Village, LLC employees—from the planning to the after-party clean-up.