KNOX COUNTY
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August 2024
SPOTLIGHT
August 8-11, 2024
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36TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN MOUNT VERNON
TheMount Vernon Music and Arts Festival will welcome country chart-topper Lonestar, local favorite Six Miles to Nellie and central Ohio icons Phil Dirt and The Dozers as headline musical acts for this year’s event, Aug. 8-11, on the Public Square and streets of downtown Mount Vernon. Headline concerts are at 8:30 p.m. each night. This marks the 36th year for this event, presented by Ariel Corporation and Park National Bank as part of the 2024 Mount Vernon Presents calendar.
The festival officially opens at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, and will highlight local, regional and national performing, visual and creative artists of all ages. There will also be many food, snack and beverage selections available from a variety of food trucks, downtown restaurants and cafes. A vendor village travels down South Main Street, from the Square to Gambier Street. The 2024 MVMAF is a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) approved event.
A fundraising concert with emerging country artist Jess Kellie Adams kicks off the MVMAF on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., hosted by The Woodward Opera House, 107 S. Main St. Tickets are $15.
Other events include the Festival Flower Show, presented by the Knox County Garden Club, at The Living Center, 201 N. Main St., KidFest on South Main between Gambier and Ohio, the first-ever Wood Design & Kiwanis Celebrity Pie Auction at 5:30 p.m. Saturday,
Festival Info
and the annual Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In on Sunday. Other highlights include the annual Youth Showcase, Friday and Saturday from noon-1 p.m. on the South Stage, the return of the Central Ohio Youth Ballet at 1 p.m. Saturday inside the Woodward Opera House and street performances from MADCAP Living History.
Other local and regional artists scheduled to perform include the Mount Vernon High School Marching Band, Wisecrack, Jamee Hershberger, Chestnut Ridge, Cryin’ Out Loud, The Shuman Band, Side Effects, Tavaci, MTVarts, Dingler Studio, Joey & Jessica and the Bradford Academy of Dance.
Preferred Gold and Silver seating tickets for Lonestar are $50 and $25.
Free and open to the public. Parking along South Gay and South Mulberry Streets and other downtown lots. Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs for open seating areas outside of ticketed seating.
• Thursday, 5-10 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Cruise-In registration begins at 8 a.m.)
LONESTAR
PHIL DIRT & THE DOZERS
The Salvation
ARMY
PROVIDING BOOK BAGS & SCHOOL SUPPLIES SPOTLIGHT
The Salvation Army of Mount Vernon continues to help those in need who live in Knox County. In 2023, 435 backpacks filled with school supplies were provided to students from Bladensburg, Danville, Fredericktown, Centerburg, Gambier, Howard, Brinkhaven and Mount Vernon!
In 2024 The Salvation Army is working with Women United and Job & Family Services to provide book bags and supplies for this coming school year. “The goal is to support our children with these necessary items that help to set them up for success during the school year,” explained Captain Christine Moretz.
One mother shared a bit of her story: “I became very ill and unable to work for more than six weeks and the expenses were just piling up. School supplies were needed for my three children. This kindness has made more of a difference than you will ever know. My kids were so excited when they were able to choose their own backpacks! Thank you so much for providing for my children!”
In need of assistance?
Needed school supplies are listed below. Please drop off any items toThe Salvation Army at 206 E. Ohio Ave. in Mount Vernon, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Pencils
Spiral notebook
Folders
Glue sticks
Crayons
Scissors
Pencil boxes
Markers
Comp notebooks
Pens Erasers
Lined paper 3-ring binders
Colored pencils
Rulers
Headphones
Highlighters
If you would like to volunteer for distribution, please call the office at 740392-8716.
Backpack Distribution: Tuesday, Aug. 13
If you are in need of assistance, please visit SAangeltree.org. There you will find the application for both back to school and Christmas 2024! When you apply for school supplies, you will also be applying for Christmas assistance which includes toys, food and clothing. No need to reapply.
