Kyle Green | The Roanoke Times

Vinton Mayor Brad Grose (from left), Town Councilman Wes Nance and Town Councilman Bobby Altice prepare to have their picture taken Tuesday by Vinton police Sgt. Steve Doyle (not pictured) while wearing vintage attire for the town's 125th anniversary celebration.

Kyle Green | The Roanoke Times

Cupcakes form a "V" during Vinton's 125th anniversary celebration Tuesday at the Vinton War Memorial.

It's tough luck when your birthday falls early in the week -- Fridays and weekends are so much more conducive to celebration.

A soiree also faces seriously stiff competition if it lands on St. Patrick's Day.

Such was the dual plight of Vinton, home to about 7,800 people, when it reached its 125th anniversary Tuesday.

But after several days of nearly nonstop rain, the sun finally peeked out from behind the clouds in time to shine on the town's afternoon festivities.

About 200 people turned out at the Vinton War Memorial for an event that included the premiere of a Cox Communications documentary about the memorial, music by the William Byrd Jazz Band, cupcakes arranged to resemble the Vinton town seal, and exhibits and activities by many of the town's departments.

Mayor Brad Grose, town council members and others were on hand and dressed to reflect the fashions of 1884, when the town was chartered.

After the event ended at 6 p.m., council members remained in their period garb for the evening's meeting.

Their top hats, tails, bonnets and cameos clashed with their cellphones, bottled water and bench microphones.

"Do you think anyone could take us serious tonight?" Grose asked, laughing, as he settled into his seat in a lavender jacket and oversized bow tie. "It's difficult to appear manly when you're wearing a purple coat."

Councilman Billy Obenchain adjusted his top hat and remarked, "I don't know if I'm going to be able to wear this all night ... my noggin is sweating."

After an invocation by Parkway Wesleyan Church's preschool students, state Democratic Party Chairman Richard Cranwell offered his reflections.

Cranwell, who came to Vinton in 1968, said he had lived in the town for about one-third of its existence.

"This town is as much a part of me as every fiber in my body," he declared.

"I believe the strength of this town has been a point of strength for this valley," Cranwell continued, then added with a smile, "And the dress tonight is the most impeccably laid out attire I've ever seen on a governing body."

Council members presented ordinances of interest they had found in the records, but then turned to more contemporary issues.

Councilman Wes Nance recognized the Vinton Police Department's co-officers of the month for February: Detective Sgt. Valerie Cummings and Detective Monica McCullough, for their work on a home invasion that occurred in January.

Town Manager Chris Lawrence presented an overview of the council's "vision statement" for Vinton's next two decades, which emphasized community, cultivation of small businesses and the town's function as a gateway between Bedford and Roanoke, and its close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Grose said the statement would be modified over the year after public meetings and input from citizens.

"We want their vision of the town's future," he said, and defined recent financial hardships as temporary, an "economic interruption."

"Rest assured, this town will make it through this rough patch," Nance agreed.

"There are a lot of good things about this town," added Councilwoman Carolyn Fidler. "Things have changed, but there's a lot of good."

At the meeting's end, Fidler, who wore a skirt, crinoline, jacket and "a pair of very comfortable shoes," leaned back and asked, "Can I take my bonnet off now?"