MOUNT VERNON — The Heritage Centre Association announces the 2008 season of First Friday to begin in May. Knox Community Hospital is the event sponsor for the first, First Friday for the season on May 2.
The sponsors’ donations each month make it possible for HCA to bring the event to the community. The Main Stage will be on Public Square with live music by The Caffiends, playing an eclectic assortment of rock and roll, country, folk, jazz and bluegrass featuring hits from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.
Activities will include a new event, “Goldfish Racing,” provided by Resource Exchange Group; the Bounce House from Ohio Rental benefiting the Vineyard of Knox County’s Youth Ministry; and Kids Corner, with face-painting and sidewalk chalk drawing provided by the Knox County Art League. Rex Naylor, balloon sculptor, will be returning for another season and new this season is Sophia’s Petting Zoo with a llama, sheep and other smaller animals including for May, new chicks for the kids to experience.
The exhibitors on Public Square include the humane society, Edward Jones Investments, the Mount Vernon Lions Club and Mount Vernon Hardware Co., showcasing some of its new product lines. Food vendors will include Bobby Thomas Concessions and Domino’s Pizza.
There will be a season-long volleyball tournament at the south end of the Central Business District, behind the old Dan Emmett Tavern. There are two sand volleyball courts in the back of the building at 156 Howard St. that have lighting for extended playing time in the evening. Deb Carhart from The Corner Grill on South Main Street is handling the tournament sign-ups. She can be reached at 397-9874, or stop in The Corner Grill to get signed up.
The teams will be “coed sixes” with an A and B division, May through September, with the finale in October. There will be live music on the patio outside next to the courts for players, and spectators can listen to guitarist Desmond Wall. Food and beverage will be available from The Alcove Restaurant.
Returning to First Friday will be the monthly Cruise In on South Main Street, starting at the square and going south to Gambier Street. Many new members will sponsor these events, and have donated giveaways and prizes for participants, including dash plaques for the first 50 vehicles provided by Jack’s Garage. 50/50 drawings and a framed classic print, signed and donated by artist Rob Dawson, will be raffled off each month. First Friday T-shirts are available for sale this year, and will be sold at the cruise-in area on South Main Street.
The Mount Vernon News is sponsoring the Little Miss First Friday Pageant. Little Miss First Friday Queen (ages 8-10) and Little Miss First Friday Princess (ages 5-7) sign-ups will be during May’s First Friday, in front of First-Knox National Bank on Public Square.
A parent must be present at the time of registration and each girl must bring a copy of her birth certificate for proof of age. The winners at the end of the season, as reigning 2008 Little Miss First Friday Queen and Princess, will ride in the Mount Vernon Christmas Parade. Anyone not able to attend this sign-up, or who has questions, contact Krystal Drye from First-Knox at 399-5122.
Several new art displays will be able to be viewed downtown each First Friday, including Mount Vernon High School Art Department exhibit at Focus Studio Gallery on South Main and Gambier streets, the works of Sarah Pillow featured at the North Main Gallery. The Knox County Art League’s featured artists in the B&O railroad depot are Brian Baby and Raymond Bohac for the month of May. Also at the depot will be the poetry reading scheduled for 8:30 p.m. The Root Art Gallery also has a new art exhibit each month.
The First Friday events, held each month from May through October from 6 to 9 p.m., are family friendly. WNZR radio station will be broadcasting live from the event. The Mount Vernon Fire Department will have one of itsfire trucks displayed on the square.
The Heritage Centre Association is committed to creating and enhance the economic, historic and social development of the Mount Vernon Central Business District, making it a preferred choice for shopping, entertainment, dining, culture and tourism in Ohio.
For more information about HCA membership and activities, call 393-1481, or visit the Web site www.VisitDowntownMountVernon.com.
