Category: Big Blue Crew

Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Returns September 19 & 20

The Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival returns to Memorial Park September 19 and 20, bringing a weekend of family-friendly activities, demonstrations, exhibits, food, crafts, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate the area’s agricultural heritage. WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart recently talked with Donna Strosnider, Board Secretary for the festival, about what visitors can expect this year.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.

The festival is completely free to attend and begins Saturday morning with a parade through downtown Centerburg. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy pony rides, historical exhibits, agricultural demonstrations, craft booths, food vendors, church services, and the popular horticultural exhibit. This year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” celebrates America’s 250th birthday while recognizing the history and progress of farming and rural communities.

Several longtime traditions will return, including the annual pie auction on Saturday evening, which serves as the festival’s primary fundraiser. The auction features creative pie and specialty packages from local bakers, artisans, and community members, with proceeds helping sustain the festival.

The horticultural exhibit will feature 40 categories, special ribbons for record-setting entries, new competitions, and the “Little Sprouts” category designed for young children. Visitors can also learn about history from Valerie Hamel, the “Civil War Herb Lady,” and see the return of the tractor parade at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Volunteers are an important part of keeping this free community festival running, and help is especially needed with setup, cleanup, and selling commemorative T-shirts, including a special edition shirt celebrating America’s 250th birthday. For the complete schedule, volunteer information, and festival details, visit oldtimefarmingfestival.com or find the Old Time Farming Festival on Facebook.

WNZR will be in the parade at 10am on Saturday and then at the Park for a live broadcast on Sunday from Noon to 4pm.

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Little Miss Tomato Takes Center Stage Tonight at the Fredericktown Tomato Show

The Fredericktown Tomato Show gets underway with plenty of family fun, and tonight, all eyes will be on the Main Stage for the Little Miss Tomato Contest! WNZR recently talked with Tomato Show Board President Kim Fearn about this special tradition.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.

This year, 17 six-year-old contestants will compete for the title, with each girl wearing a red dress and taking part in a two-minute interview on stage. The contest begins tonight at 7:00 p.m. on the Main Stage at Main and First Streets, with one winner and three runners-up selected by out-of-town judges. The interviews are often one of the most entertaining parts of the evening, making this a fun event for the whole family!

Kim also shared details about the official Tomato Show merchandise, including $15 T-shirts, $20 travel mugs, and $20 fleece blankets, available at the Hospitality Tent during the festival. This year’s theme, “Unity, Freedom, Remembrance,” recognizes America’s 250th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of September 11. WNZR will be LIVE “On the Road with Big Blue” throughout the Fredericktown Tomato Show, bringing listeners the excitement, events, results, and community stories from the festival. Tune in to WNZR and visit wnzr.fm for more information and your chance to win great prizes!

Click HERE for more information.

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Rides, Food, Kids Parade & Family Fun at the Fredericktown Tomato Show

The 2026 Fredericktown Tomato Show has something for everyone, including plenty of food, rides, entertainment, and fun for the kids! WNZR recently talked with Fredericktown Tomato Show Director Cale Grubb, who has been involved with the show for 25 years.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.

Cale says he’s looking forward to seeing the community come together—and he’s making sure no one leaves hungry! Concessions will be available throughout the show, with a variety of returning favorites and new vendors. The rides will be located around the square, including a Ferris wheel, and will open at 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 1 p.m. Friday. Ride bands will also be available for a full day of fun.

Kids can join the fun with the Kids Parade on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., beginning near the Brickhouse Grind parking lot. Registration starts at 6 p.m., and children can dress up in different classes for a chance to win prizes. There will also be Disney princesses and entertainment on the main stage! Throughout the week, you’ll find plenty of live music and entertainment, including Michael Mage, Step Brothers, Zach Attack, and Red Ball Jets. WNZR will be LIVE “On the Road with Big Blue” throughout the Fredericktown Tomato Show, bringing you highlights, events, results, and the excitement of the festival. This year’s theme, “Freedom, Unity, Remembrance,” is especially meaningful as the community celebrates America 250 and remembers the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Tune in to WNZR and visit wnzr.fm for more information and prize registration.

Click HERE for more information.

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Community, Hospitality & Giving at the Fredericktown Tomato Show

The Fredericktown Tomato Show is all about community, and WNZR recently talked with Tomato Show Board Member Lindsey McGowan about one of the places where that community spirit comes to life—the Hospitality Tent.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the link with the picture below.

Lindsey is in her fifth year with the Tomato Show and helps organize volunteers who welcome visitors, answer questions, and sell Tomato Show merchandise. The Hospitality Tent is located on Main Street next to Kokosing Water Park and will be open Wednesday through Friday from 4–10:30 p.m. and Saturday from 2–10:30 p.m. Visitors can stop by for merchandise, enter drawings, and connect with volunteers throughout the festival.

One of Lindsey’s highlights of the week is the Plate Auction, featuring 10 unique plates with all proceeds benefiting the Chris Fearn Well Scholarship Fund. For Lindsey, the auction is another example of how the Tomato Show brings people together to support one another. WNZR will also be right in the middle of the action! We’ll be LIVE and “On the Road with Big Blue” throughout the Fredericktown Tomato Show, bringing you highlights, events, results, and the excitement of the festival. Tune in to WNZR and visit wnzr.fm to learn more and register for prizes!

Click HERE for more information.

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Fredericktown Tomato Show Brings Community, Creativity and Garden Bounty Together

The Fredericktown Tomato Show is gearing up for another celebration of community, gardening and good food. WNZR got to talk with Bernie Douglas, who once again helping make it happen.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click the picture link below!

Now in his 19th year with the show, Douglas oversees the tomato products, tomato classes, baked goods and canned goods exhibits. From ketchup, salsa and tomato pie to more than 40 categories of baked goods, the show offers plenty of opportunities for area residents to showcase their talents and creativity. Vegetable growers can also enter exhibits featuring just about anything from their gardens—including a category for the “most unusual garden vegetable or plant.”

Douglas says one of his favorite parts of the Tomato Show is the opportunity to reconnect with people he doesn’t often see, describing the event as one big community reunion. He also shares his appreciation for the canned goods exhibit, which brings back memories of preserving food with his grandparents. Entries can be brought in Wednesday, September 9, from 2–6 p.m., with judging beginning after the opening ceremonies. Visitors can find the exhibits and Douglas at the vegetable tent near the corner of Main and College Streets by the splash pad, and he encourages everyone to come out, have fun and enjoy everything the Fredericktown Tomato Show has to offer.’

Click HERE for more info on the Fredericktown Tomato Show!

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Ready, Set, Splash! The Fredericktown Bathtub Races Are Back!

Get ready for one of the most unique events at the 2026 Fredericktown Tomato Show—the Bathtub Races! WNZR recently talked with Fredericktown Tomato Show Board Member Mike Smith, who has been involved with the event for more than 20 years.

Click HERE to hear the entire conversation or click on the link with the picture below.

Teams take cast-iron bathtubs, revamp them, add wheels, fill them with water and ice, and then race down the course with one person riding in the tub while another pushes. This year’s classes include a Church Challenge, First Responders, School Organizations, and Businesses, with teams competing for prizes and the rotating championship plaque.

The Bathtub Races take place Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on the north end of Main Street, with registration beginning at 5 p.m. Participants will need to sign a waiver and present a driver’s license; those under 18 will need a parent’s signature. First place in each class wins $90, second place wins $60, and the fastest overall time earns an additional $60. Mike says the race is harder than it looks, but it’s all part of the fun—and for him, this year’s theme of community and fellowship is what makes the Tomato Show so special. Come cheer on the racers and enjoy the food, fun, and fellowship of the Fredericktown Tomato Show!

Be sure to stay connected with WNZR for complete coverage of the 2026 Fredericktown Tomato Show! We’ll be LIVE and “On the Road with Big Blue” throughout the week, highlighting the exciting events, sharing results, and bringing you the fun from the festival. Visit wnzr.fm to learn more and register for your chance to win great prizes!

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Showcasing Creativity through Flowers & Photography at the 2026 Fredericktown Tomato Show

WNZR recently talked with Fredericktown Tomato Show Board Member Carrie Levering about the flower, horticulture, and photography shows happening during this year’s Tomato Show.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the link with the picture below.

If you enjoy flowers or gardening, bring your entries to the Thrall Masonic Lodge on Wednesday, September 9, from 2–6 p.m. There are a variety of flower and horticulture classes, with judging beginning at 6:15 p.m. Entries and winners will be available to view later that evening and remain on display through Saturday at 6 p.m., with flower pickup beginning at 4 p.m.

Photography enthusiasts of all ages are invited to participate, too! Photos can be submitted Wednesday, September 9, from 2–6 p.m. at the Mayor’s Office. There are categories for kids, teens, and adults, along with special awards for Best Use of Color and Best Use of Light. Carrie says you don’t have to be a professional—just bring your photos and join in the fun! For her, one of the best parts of the show is seeing the creativity and talent the community brings. She hopes this year’s theme will shine through in the flowers and photographs and encourages everyone to be part of this special Fredericktown tradition.

Be sure to stay connected with WNZR for complete coverage of the 2026 Fredericktown Tomato Show! We’ll be LIVE and “On the Road with Big Blue” throughout the week, highlighting the exciting events, sharing results, and bringing you the fun from the festival. Visit wnzr.fm to learn more and register for your chance to win great prizes!

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Mount Vernon Nazarene University joins a night of School Spirit at September First Friday

WNZR shared conversations all this week with several Faculty Members from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

Click HERE to hear the conversations.

We talked about the exciting and interactive activities that each department is bringing to downtown Mount Vernon for September First Friday. MVNU is part of an Education Department and Activity Fair on the Public Square from 6pm – 9pm.

They also shared exciting news about their departments including developments for the 2026 Fall Semester. Each professor shared what they are most excited for in this new school year.
Enjoy the conversations and plan to join us tonight at First Friday! Wear your blue and green! GO COUGARS!

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The Morning Thing’s Friday Favorites Looks Back at Assistant Station Manager Eric Brown’s Time at WNZR!

WNZR is saying goodbye to Assistant Station Manager Eric Brown as he, his wife Jenn and step daughter Maddie, who is a sophomore in high school, prepare for a new chapter in Florida.

Eric’s adult son William and his younger son Jonathan, who is also a sophomore in high school, are staying with their mom in Newark while Jenn’s adult sons Alex and Jaden are staying in Zanesville.

As part of Friday’s edition of The Morning Thing, WNZR Station Manager Marcy Rinehart joined Eric for a special Friday Favorites conversation, asking him to look back on five of his favorite memories from his time at the station.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Eric’s connection to Mount Vernon Nazarene University goes back much further than his time at WNZR. He is an MVNU alumnus, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university.

Before joining the WNZR staff in December 2024, he spent nearly eight years working in MVNU’s College of Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS) as an Academic Services Specialist and Adjunct Professor teaching communications classes.

During Friday Favorites, Eric reflected on several moments that stood out during his time at WNZR.

One involved student Isabel, whose singing could sometimes be heard from the neighboring studio. Eric recalled having to ask her to sing just a little more quietly so he could get his own recording work done.

Another favorite memory came almost immediately after he started at WNZR. Just days into the job, Eric helped host the station’s Food For The Hungry broadcast. He said the experience gave him an early chance to meet people, learn more about the community and understand how important the annual campaign is to WNZR and Knox County.

Eric also looked back on covering the Hartford Fair with WNZR students and on the memorable moments that came with taking the station on location.

Two of his favorite memories came from the Christian Music Broadcasters University conference in Nashville. Eric traveled with WNZR students for the event, giving them the opportunity to learn more about Christian broadcasting while also spending time together outside the station.

The trip itself created plenty of stories, including a cold wait for food and an eventful drive home through winter weather.

Looking back, Eric said what has made leaving WNZR especially difficult is the people. He thanked listeners for the support they have shown him and said the connection between the audience and the WNZR team is unlike what he has experienced elsewhere in broadcasting.

He also reflected on how meaningful it has been to serve the community while helping spread the message of Jesus through WNZR’s ministry.

Although Eric is leaving his full-time role and moving to Florida, listeners will still hear his voice on WNZR. The station plans to continue working with him remotely through a contract arrangement for news coverage. He will also return to teaching as an Adjunct Professor in the CAPS program for MVNU.

Marcy thanked Eric for his leadership, experience and time with WNZR and said the station will continue praying for him as he makes the move and begins a new chapter.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

Click HERE to learn more about Mount Vernon Nazarene University!

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First-Day Jitters and Mystery Lunches!

On Wednesday’s edition of the Morning Thing, the Big Blue Crew took a trip down memory lane and shared some of those memorable first days of school — from that very first day of kindergarten, to starting at a new school, to the emotions that come with sending your own child off for their first day.

What was your craziest memory?

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