"ON THE ROAD With big blue" June First friday edition

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! EXPERIENCE MOUNT VERNON INVITES YOU TO PARTY LIKE IT'S 1776 AT JULY FIRST FRIDAY!

Join WNZR in downtown Mount Vernon on Friday 7/3 for July’s First Friday!

Raise the colors, gather your fellow patriots, and make haste to Downtown Mount Vernon for July First Friday: Party Like It’s 1776, a patriotic community celebration taking place on Friday, July 3 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Presented by Lanning’s Foods, this free, family-friendly event will transform downtown into a festive celebration of community spirit, featuring live music, activities, reenactments, food trucks, and more than 95 exhibitors and vendors.

WNZR will be in downtown Mount Vernon for July’s First Friday!

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:

Guests can enjoy live music from Fat Tuesday on the Lanning’s Foods Main Stage on Public Square, along with a special appearance by the Mount Vernon Community Band.

The Community Spotlight, sponsored by United Aggregates, will feature the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival, showcasing one of the community’s signature events and providing a preview of the exciting programming planned for the Festival in August.

Food trucks, sponsored by Ariel Corporation, will be serving up favorites throughout the event, including on the Public Square, West Vine Street, and West Gambier Street.

Families and young patriots won’t want to miss the Activity Zone on South Main Street, sponsored by Chevrolet GMC of Mount Vernon. Activities will include a bounce house sponsored by MVNU Athletics, free face painting by Creations 2 Dye 4, make-and-take friendship bracelets sponsored by Experience Mount Vernon, and more!

The ever-popular Touch-A-Truck, sponsored by United Aggregates, will return with vehicles and equipment from United Aggregates, the Mount Vernon Police Department, and the Mount Vernon Fire Department, giving families an up-close look at some of the vehicles that help keep our community moving and safe.

Adding to the patriotic atmosphere, guests may encounter living history throughout downtown from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. as reenactors from MadCap Living History portraying George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Eliza Hamilton appear as interactive "living statues" scattered throughout the event. Attendees are encouraged to seek out these iconic figures from America's founding era, snap a photo, and experience a unique glimpse into the personalities who helped shape the nation's history.

Visitors can also test their aim at the interactive archery trailer provided by the Knox County Fish & Game Association on East High Street.

Strike a patriotic pose at the photo booth on Public Square sponsored by Knox Community Hospital!

Want to show off your First Friday pride? Stop by the Experience Mount Vernon information table to grab a limited edition First Friday temporary tattoo. Be sure to collect all four throughout the season!

July First Friday also marks the second month of the new First Friday Passport program. Designed primarily for kids ages 12 and under, the Passport encourages participants to explore activities throughout First Friday and collect monthly stamps. Bring your passport back from June First Friday to earn your July stamp, or pick up a Passport at the Experience Mount Vernon info table on Public Square. Participants who complete the activities and earn their July stamp will be entered into the drawing for the Splash Into Summer Prize Pack, featuring reusable water balloons, floaties, sunglasses, Hiawatha day passes courtesy of the City of Mount Vernon, and more! Participants who collect stamps throughout the season will also be entered into the drawing for the First Friday Grand Prize.

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

Please note that, to accommodate expanded activity areas, food trucks, vendors, and safe pedestrian access throughout the event, a cruise-in will not be included at July First Friday.

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:

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

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.

Whether you’re celebrating with family, enjoying live music, exploring local vendors, competing for Passport prizes, or simply enjoying a summer evening downtown, July First Friday will offer a star-spangled evening of fun for all ages. Experience Mount Vernon invites residents and visitors alike to gather in the heart of Mount Vernon, support local businesses, and celebrate 250 years of independence.

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

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.

Thanks to our July First Friday Prize Donors:

Thanks to our July First Friday Broadcast Partners

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