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The VMA was established March 6, 2003. The members saw the need for a Business Association to help each other in many ways such as creating festivals, street fairs, parades, conducting educational seminars, purchasing power and assisting each other with financial alerts in the community such as counterfeit money or other business information. By a unanimous show of hands at the first meeting there was enough interest to create a Merchants Association. Much of the credit goes to Mr. Morris Strickland who promoted the idea and was very active in the creative phase. In October 2003 we hosted the first Trick or Treat Under the Oaks at the Vancleave High School. Participating Merchants dressed in costume and brought tents and decorations to make a street fair of the event. Many has wash tubs of candy and treats to pass out. Parents attending were very appreciative to have a local, safe and family oriented location to take their children for treats. Costumes of every sort were there. The merchants participating handed out candy and treats to over 200 children. In 2009 the number of children going through was over 900, not including parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Every year parents look forward to the community event and all the merchants appreciate the opportunity to give back to the community they love. In October 2004 we held our first Fireman Appreciation Day at the Vancleave High School. From that gathering our first Vancleave Pebble Bluff Creek Car Show was held the following year. We held our 6th car show in 2010. We have Classic, Muscle and Street Rods participating and expect to open the show to motorcycles in 2011. In December 2004 we were invinted by the Vancleave Volunteer Fire Department to participate in a Community Christmas Parade. Despite the cold we had a wonderful crowd and Santa was able to stop by as well. The VMA sponsored FREE hot chocolate and cookies for everyone and has done so each year. Each year we have more "floats", boats, trucks, antique cars, horses and groups participating. We look forward to 2011 and hope you can come by. Past speakers have included Districk Attorney Tony Lawarence, Supervisors Manly Barton and John McKay and State Senator Michael Watson. We are always happy to have guest speakers with information we can use in our business or share with our customers and clients. Our best community project to date, the Vancleave Community Gazebo, was approved by the 2005 VMA Board of Directors and became the "special pet" project of Dr. Jeffery Morrison, owner of Morrison Animal Clinic and his sons. Our community watched with anticipation as the Gazebo took shape. This Gazebo has since been used by the Vancleave Schools for PeP Rallies, an Old Fashioned Community Political Ralley and members of the community for bands and Fund Raisers as well as the focal point for the Pebble Bluff Creek Car Show. It is our logo and an important part of our community. It was painted the summer of 2010 by a local business S & L Drywall, owned by Shannon and Leann Moe. |
