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“On The Road With Big Blue” – August First Friday Edition  

Join WNZR in downtown Mount Vernon on Friday 8/7 for August First Friday! 

It’s Going to Be a Paw-some Night! August First Friday Brings Four-Legged Fun to Downtown Mount Vernon 

 

Grab your leash, gather the family, and get ready for Paws on Parade at August First Friday, on Friday, August 7, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Downtown Mount Vernon. 

 

Presented by Griffin Insurance, this free, family- (and dog!) friendly event celebrates our furry friends with live entertainment, WNZR’s Costumed Paws on Parade dog costume parade, activities for all ages, food trucks, shopping, and more than 95 exhibitors! 

 

Look for Big Blue on South Main Street, near the dog fountain.   

 

Stop by and register to win a special "Sip, Shop and Splash" prize basket featuring: 

  • One $15.00 gift card to Happy Bean Coffee Shop 

  • One $25.00 gift card to the ACTS Center Thrift Store 

  • A Family 4 Pack of One-Day Passes to the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool (Valued at $36) 

 

Plus, WNZR goodies including an “On the Road with Big Blue" t-shirt, NIV Bible, water bottle,  

micro-fiber cloths, hand fan, Frisbees, guitar flyswatter, magnets, chip clips and more! The prize package is valued at over $100! 

 

 

Activities include: 

 

  • This month’s Community Spotlight, sponsored by New Directions, will feature the WNZR Costumed Paws on Parade, a dog costume parade showcasing some of the area’s most creative canine companions. Participants can pre-register here or on-site from 6:30 p.m. - 7:10 p.m. at WNZR’s Big Blue next to the South Main Plaza Dog Fountain. The parade will step off at 7:15 p.m. from the South Main Plaza Dog Fountain and proceed to the Griffin Insurance Main Stage on Public Square. 

 

  • Complete Care Animal Hospital has goody bags to the first 50 dogs that sign up for the parade. (Costumes are not required). 

 

  • We Love Pets has THREE doggy prize baskets - one for small dogs, one for medium dogs and one for large dogs. Registration for these baskets will take place at Big Blue (on 8/7). 

 

  • We will give out 3 Awards: Most Creative Costume, Dog the Judges Most Want to Take Home and Best in Show. Special trophies are being provided by Trophyworks of Newark.  

 

  • The Griffin Insurance Main Stage on Public Square will feature live music by The Serra Austin Band, providing the perfect soundtrack for a summer evening downtown. 

 

  • Families can visit the Activity Zone, sponsored by Chevrolet GMC of Mount Vernon and hosted by MVNU Athletics, featuring a dunk tank, free animal balloons by Luke the Juggler, make-and-take paper-bag dog puppets, music, bubbles, and more. 

 

  • The popular Touch-a-Truck, sponsored by CES Credit Union, returns with vehicles from the Mount Vernon Police Department, Mount Vernon Fire Department, Ellis Brothers Concrete, and Chevrolet GMC of Mount Vernon. 

 

  • Visitors can strike a pose at the Paw-Trait Station, a dog-themed photo booth sponsored by Knox Community Hospital on Public Square. Both humans and dogs are welcome! Don’t have a dog to pose with? Not to worry! Our furry, four-legged friend, Ellie the poodle, will be in attendance to pose with you. 

 

  • Food trucks, sponsored by Ariel Corporation, will be stationed throughout the event, serving a variety of crowd favorites and summertime treats! 

 

  • Families are encouraged to continue participating in the First Friday Passport activity! Pick up a passport at the Experience Mount Vernon info table, or bring back your passport from previous months, and complete 5 of the 9 activities to earn your August stamp to be entered to win the August Back-to-School prize pack! Participants who collect all four monthly stamps will be entered into the First Friday Grand Prize drawing at the end of the season! 

 

  • Guests are encouraged to ride to the event and take advantage of the free bicycle valet on West Vine Street, hosted by Get Healthy Knox County. Cyclists can enjoy secure, complimentary bike parking while exploring First Friday, making it easy to roll into downtown and join the fun. 

 

  • As always, all First Friday events and activities are free and open to the public! 

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Event Logistics 
Street closures for parked vehicles begin at 2:00 p.m., with full road access to all traffic beginning at 3:00 p.m., including: 

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  • Main Street between Chestnut Street and Ohio Avenue 

  • All of Public Square 

  • High Street between Gay and Mulberry Streets 

  • Vine Street between S. Gay and S. Mulberry Streets 

  • Gambier Street between S. Gay and S. Mulberry Streets 

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To accommodate expanded activity areas, food trucks, vendors, and safe pedestrian access throughout the event, a cruise-in will not be included at August First Friday. 

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Whether you’re showing off your pup’s latest fashion, enjoying live music, exploring downtown shops, grabbing dinner from a food truck or local restaurant, or simply spending time with family and friends, August First Friday is sure to be a tail-wagging good time. Experience Mount Vernon invites the entire community to join us on Friday, August 7, for an evening that is sure to be the pick of the litter! 

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Follow @experiencemountvernon on social media for the latest event details, sneak peeks, and live updates. 

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ABOUT EXPERIENCE MOUNT VERNON: 

Experience Mount Vernon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fosters a vibrant downtown through meaningful community experiences. Visit www.experiencemv.org for more information. 

  • If you have questions, please contact Executive Director Lacey Filkins at 740-393-1481 (call or text) or email director@experiencemv.org.  

 

  • WNZR is honored to be a Media Partner for the First Friday Season.  

 

  • Experience Mount Vernon thanks Lanning’s Foods for their support of First Fridays.  

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Thanks to our August First Friday Prize Donors:

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Thanks to our August First Friday Broadcast Partners:

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On The Road with Big Blue - Prizes and Family FUN, all year long!

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