MOUNT VERNON — Downtown Mount Vernon comes alive on the First Friday of every month thanks to the Heritage Centre Association’s goal to maintain a vital downtown. Friday night was no exception, even with unpleasantly high temperatures and heavy humidity.
Kokosing River Surf Club provided great entertainment on Public Square, which provided the perfect backdrop to the vintage cars parked for the Cruise-In.
Despite the near 100-degree temperatures, the event held from 6-9 p.m., had a sizable crowd of visitors enjoying the music, the cruise in, food and the varied shops. There were two attractions along South Main Street for the children and the young at heart.
Science Play-Space Initiative (SPI) was not only a cool place to escape the heat, it was a “cool” place. The brainchild of director Rachel Garcia, the facility allows children to explore and experiment — something like a small version of COSI. Children learn about science while playing and there were a few adults playing, too.
“I come from a place that started their own science center. So I thought we could, too,” Garcia said. “There’s a program every Saturday morning for the children and there will be a LEGO camp in August.”
The hidden fun for children Friday night was genuinely hidden. The popular “Where’s Waldo?” books are turning 25 years old this year, and to celebrate, the famous fellow in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 20 different downtown businesses throughout the month of July.
Paragraphs Bookstore was delighted the book’s publisher invited the store to play and they persuaded the downtown businesses to play along. While adults were enjoying the numerous refreshments and shopping at many businesses, the children, and some adults, were hunting for the small Waldo figure at each business.
