Special events

Blacksburg will be "Alive After Five" on July 31 when the Blacksburg Business Association hosts a performance by "16th Avenue" from 6:30- 10:30 p.m. The no-alcohol event will feature dancing and food on the deck behind Iron City Place on main street.

Family reunions

The Whelchel family reunion will be held Sunday, Aug. 2, at the recreational building on Whelchel Road at 1 p.m. Plates, cups and utensils will be furnished. The traditional hash supper will be served.

Descendants of the late Robert McCraw Bratton and Lucinda Alexander Bratton will have their annual reunion Sunday, Aug. 16, in the fellowship hall of Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church in Hickory Grove. Lunch will be served around 1 p.m. Each family is requested to bring a picnic. For more information, call 803-684-9592.

Fundraisers

St. John's United Methodist Church in Blacksburg will have a church-wide yard sale and bake sale Saturday, Aug. 1, from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Biscuits and gravy will be served for breakfast and grilled hot dogs with chips and a drink for lunch. All proceeds will benefit local special needs. The church is located at 105 S. Rutherford St. (next to the Blacksburg library).

Church news

Homecoming will be held Sunday, Aug. 2, at Antioch Baptist Church in Blacksburg. Services begin at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary with a Southern Gospel singing by "2 for 1." Eddie Henderson and Steve Quinn compose the group. At 11 a.m., Dr. Paul Sorrells will bring the message and a covered dish lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

Shady Grove Baptist Church will observe Women's Day on Sunday Aug. 9, during the 11 a.m. worship service. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Annah Montgomery, associate minister of Antioch Baptist Church and former associate minister of Shady Grove.

Bible school Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church will have Vacation Bible School July 29-Aug. 1 from 6-8:30 p.m. There will be classes for preschoolers, juniors, teens and adults. The theme is "Jesus is Knocking at the Door of Your Heart."

Class reunions

Gaffney High School Class of 1954 will celebrate its 55-year class reunion on Aug. 28 at Aegean Pizza starting at 5:30 p.m. Addresses are needed for the following classmates: Clanton and Imogene Austell, Shirley Blanton Hawkins, Tommy Hames, Buddy McCullough, James E. Queen, June Ann Wright Randolph, and David Daniels. If you know the address of any of the above persons, call Ann McCraw at 864-489-4178.

Farmer's market

A Farmer's Market, located across from the Blacksburg Police Department, opened on July 23 and will be open until Nov. 19 each Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until noon. The market is sponsored by the Blacksburg Business Association. For more information, call 864-839- 4663.