MOUNT VERNON — Area residents are invited to join as one community to praise God and share His message as Praisestock returns to Ariel-Foundation Park’s Schnormeier Event Center on Sunday, Aug. 23.
The park is located at 10 Pittsburgh Ave., just south of downtown Mount Vernon. The event date has been moved one week later for 2026 to accommodate other community events.
Praisestock 2026 marks the 21st year of Praisestock, which started initially as an event at Owl Creek Baptist Church near Utica and was held on the church lawn. With the vision of “What would it look like if all God’s people came together to worship Him?”, the community support grew, and the praise and worship eventually moved to the larger venue of the Schnormeier Event Center.
Praisestock is an annual homecoming where gatherers celebrate similarities and common goals, and learn how others are fulfilling their mission to serve our Lord. Food for the Hungry is a beneficiary, fulfilling the Praisestock motto stating, “Together we can feed the soul and feed the person.”
The Praisestock collaboration is directed by a volunteer board of directors representing seven sponsoring churches, Covenant Church, Trinity Worship Center, Set Free, Owl Creek Baptist Church, Faith Lutheran Church, Salvation Army of Mount Vernon, Apostolic Christian Church and others working together to offer the Greater Knox County community a day of worship, service and gratitude.
This cooperation helps the community by demonstrating our common bond in Jesus Christ, supporting Food for the Hungry, and giving a place and time to interact with our many essential Christian service ministries.
Local ministries wishing to set up a table at Praisestock and meet with visitors and supporters are asked to contact Dave Ewart, 2026 Praisestock co-chair, at dave@mid-Ohio.com or call 740-627-7440.
The event begins at 10 a.m. with a Community Worship Service. A growing list of churches has committed to holding their traditional Sunday service together at Praisestock and invites those of all denominations or those without a home church.
A love offering taken during the service will be donated to Food for the Hungry for its 2026 food drive. Contributions will also be accepted to support Praisestock’s ongoing ministry.
From noon to 6 pm, bands and worship teams will continue the worship event. This family-friendly event will include children’s activities, offer food from local vendors, and feature more activities and opportunities to learn about Praisestock, sponsoring churches, Food for the Hungry and some of the programs receiving funding.
The lineup of bands and worship teams for Praisestock is still being finalized, but some of the best praise and worship teams in Knox County and the surrounding areas are expected.
Volunteers are still needed for several areas for the events. The next planning sessions to coordinate the event will be at 6:30 pm at Covenant Christian Church, 13360 New Delaware Road in Mount Vernon, on the following dates: April 14, May 12, June 9, July 7, and Aug. 11. You may also visit with board members of Praisestock at the Mount Vernon First Friday events in July and August.
Praisestock, through its fiscal agent, Covenant Christian Church, is a 501(c)(3) organization and accepts tax-deductible contributions that enable Praisestock to continue its mission of praising God and supporting those in need. Visit www.praisestock.org for more information, and be certain to follow on Facebook @praisestock. Churches and individuals wanting to participate should contact Dave Ewart at 740-627-7440 or Ben Staats at 740-501-5480.
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