MOUNT VERNON — The Heritage Centre Association announces the next First Friday will be Sept. 5. CES Credit Union is the event sponsor.

The Main Stage will be on Public Square, with live music by The Colin John Band, playing “Extreme Blues.” Activities include the Bounce House and Time Warner Cable sponsoring Kids Corner, with Rex Naylor, balloon sculptor, and Sophia’s Petting Zoo with a llama, sheep and other small animals.

Exhibitors on the Square include the Knox County Humane Society, Jeff Arnette of Edward Jones Investments, the Mount Vernon Lions Club and Nicole McNichols of American National Insurance Co. The food vendor this month is Lucas Concessions.

September’s First Friday brings the mayor to the Main Stage at 6:30 p.m. to present the city’s Volunteer of the Year awards. Four awards will be presented. Following the mayor’s awards ceremony, will be the crowning of Little Miss First Friday at 7 p.m., sponsored by the Mount Vernon News. The winners will be crowned Little Miss First Friday Queen (ages 8 to 10) and Little Miss First Friday Princess (ages 5 to 7).

The First Friday Cruise-in on South Main Street continues, with the “Gallery of Classics” on South Main Street, beginning at Gambier Street and going north to the Square. Several sponsors have donated giveaways and prizes for participants, including dash plaques provided by Jack’s Garage for the first 50 vehicles. A 50/50 drawing will be held, and a framed classic print, signed and donated by artist Rob Dawson, will be raffled off again this month. First Friday T-shirts will be sold at the cruise-in area on South Main Street. It’s not a “car show,” but a “cruise-in” open to the world.

There are two months left of the season-long volleyball tournament at the south end of the Central Business District, behind the former Dan Emmett Tavern. Deb Carhart from The Corner Grill on South Main Street and Ron Doup are handling the tournament sign-ups. Carhart can be reached at 397-9874, or stop in The Corner Grill to sign up. The teams are “co-ed sixes” with the finale to be held at the October First Friday. The winning teams have received First Friday T-shirts each month.

There will be live music on the patio next to the courts by Eric Nassau, playing music for the whole family. Food and beverages will also be available on the patio from The Alcove Restaurant.

Several new art displays can be viewed downtown. They include an exhibit, along with live music, at Focus Studio Gallery on South Main and Gambier streets; Sue Ann Simon featured at the North Main Gallery; and Thom Pagniano, the Knox County Art League’s featured artist at the B&O Railroad Depot. Also at the depot will be the Poetry Forum between 8:30 and 10 p.m. The Root Art Gallery also has a new art exhibit in September which features Dan Gerdeman.

The Buckeye Candy Building joins this First Friday with Little Chihuahua Antiques and Fine Art hosting a live auction featuring treasures from Ruth Bemis. The building will be open beginning at 6 p.m. with live music by local talent Christina Axelrod singing and playing acoustic guitar. The auction is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

The First Friday After Party returns for the second month, running from 9 to 11 p.m. at the Buckeye Candy Building. The party will feature music from the 1960s to the ’90s with disc jockey Jim Bonnette.

There will also be swing dance lessons at 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. A donation per person will cover music, dance lessons, soft drinks and drink set-ups. Proceeds will benefit the Heritage Centre Association. Individuals are permitted to bring their own bottle; IDs will be checked as patrons enter.