The Heritage Centre Association is planning the final First Friday of the season on October 3, 2008. Knox Community Hospital and Warehouse Music are the event sponsors. With the October First Friday falling on Mount Vernon High School’s Homecoming, to celebrate the event we will be starting early on the Square at 5:30 p.m. The MVHS Marching Band, Cheerleaders, and the Homecoming Court will get the crowd into the spirit; the Cheerleaders will begin with some cheers followed by the introductions of the 2008 Homecoming Court. Then the Marching Band will be lead by police escort around the Square and down South Main Street to the Buckeye Candy Building. They will meet the buses at the parking lot at the Dan Emmett Conference Center on Howard Street to be transported to the stadium. This is a great opportunity for the community to come out and cheer the kids on showing our support!

The Main Stage on the Public Square continues with live music by Rare Bird, playing classic rock favorites. Activities include on the square include the Bounce House and Time Warner Cable sponsoring Kids Corner with Rex Naylor, balloon sculptor, and Sophia’s Petting Zoo with a llama, sheep and other small animals. The exhibitors on the Square include the Knox County Humane Society, Jeff Arnette of Edward Jones Investments, the Mount Vernon Lions Club, Nicole McNichols of American National Insurance Company and the Mount Vernon Educators Association with a special appearance from The Cat In The Hat.  The food vendor this month is Jeph’s Barnyard Bundles. WNZR Radio Station will be broadcasting live from the event and the Mount Vernon Fire Department will have one of their fire trucks displayed on the Square.

First Friday Cruise In on South Main Street continues, with the “Gallery of Classics” on South Main Street, beginning at Gambier Street and going north to the Square. There are several sponsors contributing to these events that have donated lots of give-aways and prizes for participants including dash plaques for the first fifty vehicles provided by Jack’s Garage. We will be holding a 50/50 drawing and a framed classic print, signed and donated by artist Rob Dawson will be raffled off again this month.

 The season-long Volleyball Tournament will have its finale at the South End of the Central Business District behind the Dan Emmett Conference Center on Howard Street. Deb Carhart from The Corner Grill on South Main Street and Ron Doup are handling the tournament sign ups. Be sure to contact Deb at (740) 397-9874, or stop in The Corner to get your team on the list. The winning teams have received First Friday t-shirts each month with hooded sweatshirts to be ordered for the Finale winners from T Shirt Express. Plus, all participants this month will receive a “Celebrate 200 Years Knox County” shirt for supporting the season tournament. There will be live music on the patio next to the courts by The Tin Hearts. They are a four piece band playing Americana, Roots Music and Rock with many original songs.  Food and drinks will also be available from The Alcove Restaurant on the patio.

            New art displays are open to be viewed downtown which include Robert Coleman and Vicki Herrick featured at the North Main Gallery and Knox County Art League’s featured artists at the B&O Railroad Depot are Spence Hoeflich and Tonia Osborn for the month of October. Also at the Depot will be the Poetry Forum between the times of 8:30pm to 10:00pm. The Root Art Gallery art exhibit for the month of October celebrates the works of Brandy Agnew and Jill Gllenstein with an opening reception.

            The First Friday After Party returns for this final month beginning at 9:00 p.m. through 11:00 p.m. at the Buckeye Candy Building featuring music from the 60’s to the 90’s with DJ Jim Bonnette. A donation per person will cover music, soft drinks and drink set ups. Proceeds are to benefit the Heritage Centre. Bring your own bottle and ID’s will be checked as you enter.

The Heritage Centre Association is committed to create and enhance the economic, historic, and social development of the Mount Vernon’s Central Business District making it a preferred choice for shopping, entertainment, dining, culture and tourism in Ohio. Opportunities are available for involvement at many levels. For more information about HCA membership and activities, please call 740 393-1481. You can also read more about the organization and view a slide show from past First Fridays at the website, www.VisitDowntownMountVernon.com.