The July 4 Celebration Main Event will be set up in the center of Memorial Park, down the middle path toward the rear of the Babe Ruth baseball field. Sponsors for the event are Ariel Corp. and United Precast Inc.
The stage will be positioned on the grass between the skateboard park and the basketball court. Live music will begin at 2 p.m. during the skateboard tournament, sponsored by the Mount Vernon News. Grizzly Riot band will start the music off, followed by local singer Jess Clinger. Beginning at 5 p.m. is the band “Nifty,” playing favorites from the 1950s and ’60s, followed by Mount Vernon’s own “Autumn Daze” performing classic rock, country and rhythm and blues.
Food vendors will include Bobby Thomas Concessions, Lucas Concessions, Domino’s Pizza, Kent’s Ice Cream Station, Lightswitch Enterprises-Energy Drinks and Java Hut, Mount Vernon Avenue. All concessions will be in the parking lot in front of the basketball court.
The season-long volleyball tournament will start early for this month, at 2 p.m. behind the old Uncle Dan’s Tavern, 156 Howard St. There are two sand volleyball courts in the back of the building that have lighting for extended playing time in the evening. Musician Desmond Wall will perform on the patio.
Deb Carhart from The Corner Grill on South Main Street is handling the tournament sign ups. She can be reached by calling 397-9874, or stopping in The Corner Grill.
The cruise-in will be located at the back of the park under the trees. Plan to see classics of many makes and models. Sponsors will provide give-aways and door prizes for participants. The monthly 50/50 drawing will be held, and a raffle for two framed and signed classic car prints donated by artist R. Dawson.
Registration will begin at 2 p.m.; participants can enter the park through the center drive. Only cruise-in participants’ vehicles will be allowed into the area. All other event parking will be across Mount Vernon Avenue in the sports field parking lots and the high school football lot, as well as the Sanoh lot west of the park.
Other activities beginning at 5 p.m.include “Goldfish Racing,” provided by Resource Exchange Group, along with its Oxygen Bar. The Bounce House, Kids Corner, sponsored by Time Warner Cable; Rex Naylor, balloon sculptor; and Sophia’s Petting Zoo with a llama, sheep and bunnies, will all be in the shaded grassy area near the pavilion. In honor of the county’s bicentennial, the Knox County Historical Society will have the mobile museum open for display, parked on the basketball court.
The Bicentennial Beard Growing Contest Awards Presentation will begin at 7 p.m. on the main stage. All participants are asked to meet at 6:30 p.m. back stage.
The celebration will honor the Knox County bicentennial, and will conclude with fireworks scheduled to begin at 10 p.m.
