MOUNT VERNON — The Heritage Centre Association is planning the final First Friday of the season for Oct. 3. Knox Community Hospital and Warehouse Music are the event sponsors.
With the October First Friday coinciding with Mount Vernon High School’s Homecoming, to celebrate homecoming, First Friday will start early, at 5:30 p.m., on Public Square. The MVHS marching band, cheerleaders and the homecoming court will get the crowd into the spirit of homecoming; the cheerleaders will begin with some cheers, followed by the introductions of the 2008 homecoming court. The marching band will then be led by police escort around Public Square and down South Main Street to the Buckeye Candy Building. The band will meet the buses at the parking lot at The Dan Emmett Conference Center on Howard Street, to be transported to the stadium. This is an opportunity for the community to come out and cheer on the team and show support.
The Main Stage on Public Square continues with live music by Rare Bird playing classic rock favorites. Activities on the square 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, Nicole McNichols of American National Insurance Co. and the Mount Vernon Educators Association, with a special appearance from The Cat In The Hat.
The food vendor this month is Jeph’s Barnyard Bundles. WNZR Radio Station will be broadcasting live from the event, and the Mount Vernon Fire Department will have one of its fire trucks displayed on the square.
First Friday Cruise-in continues, with the “Gallery of Classics” on South Main Street, beginning at Gambier Street and going north to the square. Several sponsors have donated lots of giveaways and prizes for participants, including dash plaques for the first 50 vehicles provided by Jack’s Garage. 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.
The season-long volleyball tournament will have its finale at the south end of the Central Business District, behind The Dan Emmett Conference Center on Howard Street. Deb Carhart from The Corner Grill on South Main Street and Ron Doup are handling the tournament sign-ups. Contact Carhart at 397-9874, or stop in The Corner Grill to get a team on the list. The winning teams have received First Friday T-shirts each month, with hooded sweat shirts to be ordered for the finale winners from T-Shirt Express. Plus, all participants this month will receive a “Celebrate 200 Years Knox County” shirt for supporting the season tournament.
There will be live music on the patio next to the courts by The Tin Hearts, a four-piece band playing Americana, roots music and rock with many original songs. Food and beverages will also be available on the patio from The Alcove Restaurant.
New art displays are open to be viewed downtown, and include Robert Coleman and Vicki Herrick featured at the North Main Gallery. The Knox County Art League’s featured artists at the B&O Railroad Depot are Spence Hoeflich and Tonia Osborn for October. Also at the depot will be the Poetry Forum between 8:30 and 10 p.m. The Root Art Gallery exhibit for the month of October celebrates the works of Brandy Agnew and Jill Gillenstein with an opening reception.
The First Friday After Party returns for the final month from 9 to 11 p.m. at the Buckeye Candy Building featuring music from the 1960s to the ’90’s with disc jockey Jim Bonnette. A donation per person will cover music, soft drinks and drink setups. Proceeds are to benefit the Heritage Centre Association. Attendees can bring their own bottle; IDs will be checked as they enter.
