MOUNT VERNON – Knox County is proud of its strong performing arts heritage, and The Dan Emmett Music and Arts Festival is delighted to provide an opportunity for both local performers and nationally rated talent to grace the stage to entertain the crowds. This year includes many such performers throughout the four day Festival running August 7 through August 10.
On Thursday, August 7, the Kokosing River Surf Club will perform on the First-Knox Main Stage on the square at 6:30 pm. At 7:00 the semi-finals of the Knox Idol competition begins, with youth singers ranging from age 14 to 20 performing on the First-Knox South Stage.
The Project returns to the Festival on Friday, August 8 at 3:30 pm on the First-Knox South Stage. They will perform a mix of music from the 1950s, the 2000s, and everything in between, including a few songs of their own composition. Elixer, comprised of local artists Mike Petee, Chris Petee, and Gerry Rensel, will also perform on the First-Knox South Stage on Friday at 6:30 pm. Elvis’ Lost Brother will round out the South Stage performances on Friday at 7:30 pm. Performing on the Square on Friday afternoon are local college students Leann Berg at 2:00 pm, Jordan Shremshock at 4:30 pm, and Steven Meeker at 5:00 pm.
Saturday, August 9 hosts an array of local talent. The Old-Time Fiddle Contest will take place on the First-Knox Main Stage on the square at 11:00 am. with registration beginning at 10:00 am. The Banjo and Flat-Picking Guitar Contests will start at 10:30 am. on the First-Knox South Stage, with registration beginning at 9:00 am. Contestants range in ages from single digits through the “55 and older” category. The Shumans, comprised of Sam Shuman and sons, will perform on the South Stage at 4:30 pm., followed by Celeste Friedman with a Patsy Cline tribute at 5:30 pm. The bluegrass music of Safire Sun, comprised of Darell and Yvonne Sanson, Allie Dible, Brittney Hickey, and Ethan Whitehair, will finish the South Stage performances at 7:00 pm. The music of Owl Creek, which includes performers Mike Petee, Sarah Goslee Reed, Alison Cline, Roy Rush, and Skip Trask, will perform at ThePlace@TheWoodward at 6:00 pm. on Saturday. The Center Stage, on Vine Street, will host perfomers Desmond Wall at 6:00 pm. and Jeff Putnam at 7:00 pm.
Sunday, August 10 will feature the sounds of the Caffiends, a talented and versatile quartet, on the Square at Noon. Morningstarre Celtic Band will be on the First-Knox South Stage at 1:00 pm. Created on the fiddle, guitar, keyboard, percussion and vocals, this band of siblings brings to the stage a fiery mix of Celtic, folk, gypsy, original and popular music for all ages. The McManaway Family Singers, from Mount Vernon, will delight audiences with their gospel music ranging in the style of Southern Gospel to Contemporary Christian, on the South Stage at 2:00 pm. Then at 3:00 pm, don’t miss the Chautauqua Beatles, comprised of Desmond Wall, Bill Miller, Adam Taylor, Jim Stoner and Mike Petee.
Highlights of this year’s Festival will include performances by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, The Willis Clan, Phil Dirt & The Dozers, a wide variety of local musicians and performers, the Knox Idol competition, Ohio Idol finals, fiddle, banjo, and flat-pick guitar contests, a cheer competition, arts, crafts, homemades, a motorcycle show, a new pancake breakfast, and the annual antique & classic car show, all with a wide variety of delicious foods.
The 2014 Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival runs August 7-10 in Downtown Mount Vernon with various activities each day. For additional information, contact the Festival at (740) 392-FEST (3378) or email at director@DanEmmettFestival.org.
