MOUNT VERNON – The Heritage Centre Association’s (HCA) October First Friday event will be Friday, Oct. 4, from 6-9 p.m., in downtown Mount Vernon. Sponsored by Knox Community Hospital, the event will feature music by The Blankety Blanks and The Oolong Gurus on the main stage.
Additional activities include Sophia’s Petting Zoo sponsored by Movers and Shuckers; bounce house by Ohio Rental; balloon sculptor Rex Naylor sponsored by The Gold Exchange at Mount Vernon Coin & Collectibles; cornhole sponsored by Flapper’s Bar & Grille, Herald’s Appliances, Java Hut and Madison Collins Stephens Insurance.
Donley Ford-Lincoln of Mount Vernon is the Cruise In sponsor. Goody bags will be given to 25 random registrants. There is no fee to participate; door prizes will be awarded. The registration tent will be on the west side of the Square; enter from West High Street.
Food will be provided on the Square by the G&G Concessions and Cold Stone Creamery. Downtown merchants will be open late for shopping and dining, many with special sales and discounts. Some of the activities found downtown include:
- The Knox County Health Department will host a mini health fair with a variety of businesses and agencies throughout the county represented.
- WNZR’s Dogtoberfest will bring costumed dogs and owners to downtown. Registration begins at 6 p.m. and the dog parade begins at 6:30. The first 50 dogs registered will receive a treat bag from We Lov Pets. Dogs must be on a leash.
- The shops in the “Very Short North” are sponsoring a pumpkin decorating contest. Drop your decorated pumpkin off to The Smiling Sunflower or Down Home Leather on Oct. 3 or 4 before 4 p.m. Prizes are awarded for Most Original, Scariest and Funniest. Two ages classes will be judged: ages 5-12 and ages 13 to adult. Children ages 5-12 will receive a small prize just for participating.
- HCA will recognize the Mount Vernon High School football team of 1963 in honor of their 50th anniversary undefeated year. A football with their signatures will be presented to the high school for permanent display.
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will offer a candlelight concert with the string group “Amati” at 7:30 p.m.
- The American Cancer Society will hold its “Glow 4 Goal” 5K fun run/walk as well. Registration begins at 5:30 at the parking lot on the corner of West Ohio Avenue and Main Street.
- The Mount Vernon Players will present two highlights/previews of their upcoming musical, “Into the Woods.”
- Mount Vernon’s Mayor Mavis will present the “Volunteer of the Year” award.
- Y-Not Cycling & Fitness – Register to win a gift certificate.
- The Place @ The Woodward – Hear musical entertainment.
- Creative Foundations – Enjoy “ghostly” refreshments and “Monster Mash” karaoke.
- 8 Sisters Bakery – Get pie and ice cream for a special discount.
- WNZR’s Big Blue – Register to win a tote bag with a whole-house cleaning gift certificate from Carefree Cleaning Company, along with other WNZR goodies, valued at $165.
- Herald’s Appliances and Electronics – See cooking/grilling demos with samples with Chef Rob from the Gallagher Center.
- Gospel Supply Shop – Hear music by “3C Harmony.”
- Harvest @ The Woodward – Discover something delicious at the local foods market in the 100 block of South Main.
- Shops in the 200 block of South Main – Participate in the kids’ sidewalk chalk art contest with prizes from Paragraphs Bookstore, SPI and Coleman Family Gallery.
- VIP Clowns – Enjoy face painting for all ages.
- Opportunity Knox and Shannon Staffing – Explore the “Job-a-bego,” a mobile job-finding unit.
- Explore nearly 40 exhibitors on the Public Square.
Award-winning guitarist Brian Henke will perform on South Main, sponsored by Rolls Royce. The Woodward Opera House will be open for tours from 6-8 p.m.
First Fridays’ media sponsors are WQIO/WMVO, WNZR, and KnoxPages.com. The stations will broadcast live from First Friday and downtown businesses.
Traffic will be closed one block north of the Square, around the Square and on south Main Street to Ohio Avenue (Gambier Street will remain open) starting at 4:30 p.m. Rain location for the bands is Creative Foundations at 127 South Main Street. If you have questions, please contact Carrie Crouch, HCA’s downtown manager, at (740) 393-1481.
