MOUNT VERNON — Knox County residents can expect the sky to light up in red, white and blue this weekend.
Fireworks, live music and food vendors will return to Knox County for Ariel-Foundation Park’s July 4 festivities, following last year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attendees can dig in starting at 5 p.m., when food vendors open stationed throughout the park.
Vendors include Ain’t Your Mama’s Kitchen, Annie’s Concessions, Roadside Lunchbox, Dreia’s Kitchen, Buddy’s Local Eats, Big Pappy’s BBQ, Whit’s Frozen Custard, Ohio Snoballs, Larry Woolson, Round Hill Dairy and Sweet Treats. Beer and wine will also be available, and only alcohol purchased on site is permitted in the event center.
Billy Joel and Elton John fans will want to be in the Schnormeier Event Center at 6:30 p.m. for a concert by Face-2-Face, the premier Billy Joel and Elton John tribute, with Ronnie Smith as Elton John and Mike Santoro as Billy Joel.
The fireworks, put on by the City of Mount Vernon and Ariel Corporation, are scheduled to start at 10 p.m.
With Columbus’s “Red, White & BOOM!” firework show canceled this year, Ariel-Foundation Park marketing director Carrie Haver said she was hopeful for high attendance in Mount Vernon.
July 4, 2021, will mark Ariel-Foundation Park’s sixth anniversary, Haver said.
Super Q 93.7 FM will simulcast music to the fireworks display, and Super Q 93.7 FM will be broadcasting live starting at 6 p.m. by The Lakes.
Reserved tables in the park are sold out, Haver said Wednesday, but attendees can bring chairs and blankets to sit on throughout the park.
Attendees are also encouraged to strap into life vests and spend time in kayaks and canoes on the lake, where they will also have a clear view of the fireworks. While small watercraft are encouraged, swimming is prohibited.
Haver estimates 10,000 people will attend the park festivities and advises attendees to figure out parking plans ahead of arrival.
Most parking will be located at The Lakes and the Schnormeier Event Center (entering from Madison Avenue), near the Clock House off of Pittsburg Avenue and in the parking area off Harcourt Road. Handicapped spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the event center parking lot.
Downtown lots and downtown street parking can be used for additional parking, as time restrictions will be waived on July 4.
Knox Area Transit will offer shuttle services to pick-up and drop-off locations at Mount Vernon High School Energy Field lot and the corner of East Ohio Avenue and South Gay Street every 15 minutes from 4 to 11 p.m.
Starting at 4 p.m. on July 4, the road through The Woods and the main park road in front of the event center will be closed for vehicles, aside for accessible parking traffic. Pittsburgh Avenue from the Clock House parking lot to Seventh Avenue will only be open for residential traffic after 4 p.m.
Attendees can climb the Rastin Observation Tower until 8 p.m., but the Urton Clock House Museum will be closed to the public during the July 4 festivities.
July 4 festivities are not limited to Mount Vernon. Other events in Knox County and the surrounding region:
Fredericktown
Fredericktown will host events July 1, 2, 3 and 4.
On Thursday, the farmer’s market will offer goods from 4 to 7 p.m. Two musical events will be held that evening at the gazebo, Elvis’ lost brother from 4 to 6 p.m. and Kickin’ Grass Band from 7 to 9 p.m.
Musical events will continue at the gazebo Friday evening with Blue Universe Band (4 to 6 p.m.) and Side Effects Band (6 to 8 p.m.).
Most of Fredericktown’s events will take place Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. with Elvis’ lost brother at green space next to Homestead followed by an antique tractor show at the Mill at noon. Other activities Saturday will be held at the gazebo (Blue Universe Band from 1 to 3 p.m. and Side Effects Band from 4 to 6 p.m.) and at outdoor tent at Duffer’s (Crimson Wavelength Band from 7 to 8 p.m. and Ryan Otis Band from 8:30 to 10 p.m.)
Euchre Tournaments will be held Friday and Saturday evening at Duffer’s.
On July 4 at Sockman Lake, people can enjoy food trucks and swim from 3 to 10 p.m., with an entry fee. Fireworks will be set off at dark.
Gambier
Gambier will host a parade on July 4, with a rain date for July 5.
A ceremony will be held before the parade at noon. in front of the bookstore, with the parade immediately following. Prizes will be awarded during the ceremony for parade paraphernalia — the most creative bike/vehicle, dog costume, mask and overall entry — with judging occurring between 11:45 a.m. and noon.
Apple Valley
The Apple Valley Property Owners Association will hold a private fireworks show at 10 p.m. on July 3 on Apple Valley Lake, only open to its homeowners, secretary of the association Heidi Ball said.
The July 4 federal holiday commemorates July 4, 1776 when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain.
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