MOUNT VERNON — The Heritage Centre Association announces the next First Friday will Aug. 1. United Precast Inc., United Aggregates Inc. and Ellis Brothers Concrete are the event sponsors.

The main stage will be on Public Square with live music by The Nomads, playing ’60s and ’70s classic rock. Activities include goldfish racing, provided by Resource Exchange Group; the Bounce House, from Ohio Rental benefiting the Vineyard of Knox County’s Youth Ministry; and Time Warner Cable Kids Corner, with Rex Naylor, balloon sculptor, and Sophia’s Petting Zoo.

Exhibitors on the square include Edward Jones Investments with Jeff Arnette, the Mount Vernon Lions Club and Mental Health America of Knox County. The Humane Society of Knox County will have its annual Pet Parade with registration from 6 to 7 p.m.; there is a registration fee which will benefit the humane society. The parade will begin at 7 p.m., with prizes for the Best Dressed and Best Trick. Food vendors will include Bobby Thomas Concessions and Domino’s Pizza.

The fourth Volleyball Tournament of the season will be at the south end of the Central Business District, behind the former Dan Emmett Tavern, 156 Howard St. Ron Doup and Deb Carhart from The Corner Grill on South Main Street are handling the tournament signups. Carhart can be reached at 397-9874, or stop in The Corner to get signed up. The teams are “co-ed sixes” with an A and B division every month through September, with the finale in October. The winning team receives First Friday T-shirts each month.

There will be live music on the patio next to the courts by Small Pond, a local group of musicians that had its debut performance at last year’s August First Friday. Food and beverages will be available on the patio from The Alcove Restaurant.

Returning to First Friday will be the monthly cruise-in on South Main Street, starting at Gambier Street, going north and continuing around the square. Several sponsors contributed giveaways and prizes for participants, including dash plaques, provided by Jack’s Garage, for the first 50 vehicles provided. There will be a 50/50 drawing and a framed classic print, signed and donated by artist Rob Dawson, to be raffled off. First Friday T-shirts are available for sale; they will be sold on South Main Street at the Heritage Centre table.

The Mount Vernon News is sponsoring the Little Miss First Friday Pageant again this season. The talent competition will be held this month at ThePlace@TheWoodward, beginning at 6 p.m. The Woodward Opera House will also be open from 6 to 8 p.m. for guided tours.

There are many new art displays to be viewed downtown each First Friday. They include an exhibit at Focus Studio Gallery on South Main and Gambier Street, with featured artist Wes Shorter, as well as live music in the store. Meredith Martin will be featured at the North Main Gallery at 7 N. Main St.

The Knox County Art League’s photography contest will be on display at the B&O Railroad Depot. The Poetry Forum’s Open Mic Poetry Reading will be from 8:30 to 10 p.m., also at the depot. The Root Art Gallery will be presenting the Fiber Show Invitational at 212 S. Main St.

Also, there will be a photography display featuring the work of Focus Studio’s Brian Blough, open to the public during First Friday in the Buckeye Candy Building at 400 S. Main St., as well as during the after-party from 9 to 11 p.m.

The after-party will feature disc jockey Jim Bonnette with music from the ’60s to the ’90s. Swing dance lessons will be held at 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. A donation per person covers music, dance lessons, soft drinks and drink setups. Proceeds will benefit the Heritage Centre Association. Participants can bring their own bottle; IDs will be checked as participants enter the after-party.

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 its fire trucks displayed on Public Square.