Dog Days of Summer at August First Friday in Downtown Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, OHIO – Get ready for a tail-wagging good time as we celebrate the Dog Days of Summer at August First Friday, generously sponsored by Freedom Fire Protection. On August 2nd, from 6:00-9:00 p.m., Downtown Mount Vernon will transform into a pet-friendly paradise, featuring the much anticipated WNZR Dog Days of Summer Dog Costume Parade. 

The Dog Costume Parade, presented by WNZR and led by the CES Credit Union mascot, Cooper, will begin at 7:15 p.m. on Public Square and head down South Main Street to the Community Corner, sponsored by New Directions, on East Gambier Street. Pet owners are encouraged to dress up their furry friends in creative and fun costumes. Prizes will be awarded for Most Creative Costume, Dog the Judges Most Want to Take Home, and Best In Show. Registration for the parade is FREE and open now at wnzr.fm or on-site at August First Friday on Public Square from 6:30-7:10 p.m.

In addition to the Dog Costume Parade, August First Friday will feature a variety of activities for attendees of all ages!

Highlights of the Event:

• Live Music: Enjoy live music by the winner of the June First Friday Battle of the Bands, Rewynd on the Burrata Woodfired Main Stage at West High and Public Square beginning at 7:00 p.m. with an opening performance by Jamee Herschberger at 6:00 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the show.
• Classic Car Cruise-In: A+ Autobrokers invites you to enjoy the Dog Days of Summer Classic Car Cruise-in around Public Square on August 2nd!
• Photo Booth: Be sure to take advantage of the photo booth presented by Meghan Decker Photography and sponsored by Experience Mount Vernon located on the porch of the old bank building at the corner of East Gambier Street and South Main Street. This month’s photo booth will feature a special doggie back drop!
• Food & Refreshments: Savor delicious treats for local food trucks at the Knox Foodies Food Truck Trail, sponsored by Ariel Corporation!
• Activity Zone: MVNU Cougar Athletics is back with its infamous Activity Zone sponsored by Knox Community Hospital! They will be located on West Gambier Street and have fun activities for the whole family!
• Community Corner: New Directions will be the featured organization of the Community Corner in August. Come out and learn about all they do for Knox County. While you’re there, enjoy watching the Experience Mount Vernon Board of Directors take on Dr. John Berry of COTC, Dr. Julie Kornfeld of Kenyon, Rev. David Mills of MVNU, and Kathy Greenich of the Knox County Schools Career Center and Knox Technical Center in a rousing game of Family Feud to promote Education Night at September First Friday!
• Touch-a-Truck: Pak United will be on West Gambier Street this month with Touch-a-Truck, sponsored by PAK United.

Event Details:

• Date: August 2, 2024
• Time: 6:00-9:00 p.m.
• Location: Downtown Mount Vernon

“We are thrilled to host the Dog Days of Summer August First Friday again this year and bring the community to Downtown Mount Vernon for a fun-filled evening celebrating summer and our beloved four-legged friends,” said Lacey Filkins, Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon. “We are grateful to Freedom Fire Protection for their generous sponsorship – and for volunteering! – and to the WNZR team for organizing the much anticipated Dog Costume Parade.”

Starting at 3:30 p.m., parking will close on Main Street from Chestnut Street to Ohio Avenue, including one block east and west, and around Public Square. All parked vehicles should be removed from said streets by 3:30 p.m. Streets will close to thru traffic at 4:00 p.m. to allow for exhibitors and vendors to set up. Parking can be found in Public Lots on South Gay and South Mulberry Streets and any parking spaces on open streets. Knox Public Health will provide a Free bicycle valet in the Blue Ash Parking Lot on East Ohio Avenue.

Save the Dates for the Experience Mount Vernon event season:

• September 6th: Back to School September First Friday presented by The Freedom Center (Featuring the educational institutions’ department fair)
• October 4th: The 4th Annual Johnny Appleseed Apple Festival presented by The Peoples Bank of Gambier 
• November 30th: Kick-off Winter in Downtown presented by Park National Bank with Shop Small Saturday
• December 1st:
  • The Annual Holiday Parade presented by Burrata Woodfired (Rain date 12/8)
  • Lighting of Public Square presented by Ariel Corporation
  • Pictures with Santa presented by the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel
• December 14th:
  • Pictures with Santa presented by the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel
  • Festival of Lights Holiday Lighting Competition presented by Knox Community Hospital

ABOUT EXPERIENCE MOUNT VERNON:

Experience Mount Vernon is a 501c3 non-profit organization that aims to energize and strengthen an authentic and uniquely downtown experience through community-wide events, beautification projects, and small business support. Visit www.experiencemv.org for more information.