MOUNT VERNON — The Heritage Centre Association announces First Friday returning to Public Square on Friday. Central Ohio Technical College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Kenyon College join forces to bring “College Night” downtown.

Central Ohio Fabricators is providing the trailer for the Main Stage, to be located on the east end of Public Square. The Colin John Band will perform rock and blues selections.

Other activities will include the Bounce House from Ohio Rental, benefiting the Knox County colt football program; the Rolls-Royce Kids Corner, including Sophia’s Petting Zoo; exhibitors, which include COTC, Kenyon College, MVNU, Jeff Arnette with Edward Jones Investments, the Knox County Humane Society, Team in Training for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Y-Not Cycling, the YMCA and Mental Health America.

MVNU’s new visual arts department will hold its grand opening on First Friday. The 32,000-square-foot building will be known as the Buchwald Center and features Schnormeier Gallery, where the first show, “Heavenly Days” will hang through September. The show is co-curated by MVNU professor John Donnelly and Kenyon Professor Marcella Hackbardt. The MVNU Buchwald Center activities on College NIght will include:

•MVNU Art Gallery opening reception with information on art at MVNU and adult/graduate programs.

•Building tours.

•Children’s activities, including face painting, playdough and sidewalk chalk.

•MVNU’s Cougar mascot will be prowling around downtown to greet the community.

The Woodward Opera House will be open for guided tours from 6 to 8 p.m. Food will be available for purchase.

The monthly Cruise-In will also be held on the square with door prizes for participants and a 50/50 drawing. The Mount Vernon Fire Department will once again have a fire truck on display.

The volleyball tournament finale will take place at the south end of the Central Business District behind the Dan Emmett Conference Center. Champions of the evening will receive First Friday hooded sweat shirts. Food and beverage will be available.

The Knox County Art League at the B&O Depot is featuring local artists Carol Peppers and Sarah Pillow during its reception on First Friday. New art displays will also be available for viewing at North Main Gallery and The Root Art Gallery.

First Friday events are family friendly. WNZR radio station will be broadcasting live in front of the Buchwald Center on South Main Street, as well as a live remote from Eagle 93.7 provided by COTC on Public Square. In case of rain exhibit tables and the band will be in ThePlace@TheWoodward.