FARMVILLE – Virginia Main Street (VMS) will formally, officially and publicly welcome Farmville into the VMS program Monday afternoon at 5:30 p.m.

VMS staff will come to Farmville bearing the official Virginia Main Street road signs declaring the town's membership in the revitalization program.

The kick-off celebration, to which the public is invited, will be held at j. fergeson gallery at 311 North Main St.

The event will include brief remarks by VMS staff and local business people and government officials regarding past and future revitalization efforts in downtown Farmville.

Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

The kick-off celebration is organized by Downtown Farmville and is sponsored by Centra Southside Community Hospital.

There are 25 communities in the Virginia Main Street program, which is based on its national counterpart.

VMS is the state's primary downtown revitalization program and the only one focused on historic commercial districts.