MOUNT VERNON — Knox Community Hospital is the event sponsor for the Aug. 7 First Friday, and “Rarebird” will be the band for the evening. In case of rain, the band will play in ThePlace@TheWoodward.

The artists who comprise Rarebird have been together in one form or another since 1996, playing small clubs and bars in central and southern Ohio. Theres a little bit of everything in their set list, from original material to classic, southern-fried rock.

Other activities will include the Bounce House, benefiting the Knox County Colt Football Program, and a Kids Corner, including Sophia’s Petting Zoo. Exhibitors will include Jeff Arnette with Edward Jones Investments, Bodi N Balance, Team in Training for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Y-Not Cycling. The YMCA will be on West Vine Street with water activities for youths. The Woodward Opera House will be open for guided tours from 6 to 8 p.m. Food will be available for purchase.

Returning to First Friday is the monthly Cruise-In held in the parking lot on South Mulberry Street and the corner of West Vine Street. There will be door prizes for participants and a 50/50 drawing.

The season-long volleyball tournament will continue behind the former Dan Emmett Tavern. For information call 397-9874, or stop in at The Corner. Teams are made up of “co-ed sixes,” playing May through September, with the finale in September. Food and drink are available at the tournament site.

Richard Cowdrey, illustrator of the New York Times Best-Selling Marley picture books, will be at Paragraphs Bookstore from 6 to 8p.m., and will sign copies of the newest book in the Marley series, “Marley Goes to School.”

New art displays will be available for viewing at North Main Gallery and The Root Art Gallery. The Knox County Art League at the B&O Railroad Depot is holding the annual photography contest; winners will be announced during a reception on First Friday.

First Friday events are held each month May through October from 6 to 9 p.m. and are family friendly. WNZR Radio Station will broadcast live; there will also be a live remote from Eagle 93.7. The Mount Vernon Fire Department will have a fire truck on display.