Category: family

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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Beyond Belief: Petra’s John Schlitt Talks Legacy and New Movie

For more than 50 years, Petra has used Christian rock music as a ministry of encouragement and evangelism. WNZR’s Daniel Russell and Josiah Styer recently spoke with Petra lead vocalist John Schlitt about the band’s legacy, their continued ministry, and the upcoming movie Beyond Belief.

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

Schlitt says the song “Beyond Belief” best represents Petra’s ministry, with its message of refusing to settle for “good enough” and instead going beyond to live out and share your faith in Christ. He also reflected on joining Petra as a longtime fan and how God gave him the opportunity to use his musical talents for a greater purpose.

The new Beyond Belief movie came together after someone approached Petra with the idea of making a film centered around the band. Although there were doubts that the project would ever be completed, Schlitt says he watched God open doors along the way. Petra members helped behind the scenes as producers, promoters, and fundraisers, and the movie is now set to hit theaters August 28. Schlitt says the film is family-friendly and carries a message about being guided by Christ, while also introducing audiences to Petra’s music and legacy. Despite retiring and saying farewell years ago, Petra continues to tour, make music, and work on new projects, including a documentary.

Schlitt hopes longtime Petra fans will enjoy the movie while a new generation discovers the band and its music. During a lightning round, he named Beyond Belief, This Means War!, Petra Praise 1 & 2, No Doubt, and Hope among his favorite albums, and said “Beyond Belief” remains one of his favorite songs to perform live. He is asking fans to pray that the movie accomplishes what God intends. Beyond Belief opens in theaters August 28, with more information available at beyondbelief.movie.

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Encouragement for Back to School Week

The Morning Thing is celebrating Back to School Week! This transition can be stressful for students and families.

Here is a list of Back-to-School messages of encouragement for you and your family. We have included a Bible verse with each message. Our prayer is that you will find strength and peace as you walk through this important time of the year. Thanks for allowing us to be a Lifeline to you and your family!

  1. Start this school year knowing that God is with you every step of the way.
    “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
  2. When school feels overwhelming, remember you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Trust God to guide you.
    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)
  3. A new school year means new opportunities to learn, grow, and discover the gifts God has given you.
    “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” — Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
  4. You may not know everything this school year will bring, but you can know who goes with you.
    “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.” — Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
  5. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, try something new, or make mistakes. Wisdom begins with being willing to learn.
    “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all.” — James 1:5 (NIV)
  6. Your grades and accomplishments don’t determine your worth. You are already wonderfully made and deeply loved by God.
    “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
  7. Be the student who brings kindness into the classroom, the hallway, the lunchroom, and everywhere you go.
    “Be kind and compassionate to one another.” — Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
  8. When you’re nervous about a test, presentation, new class, or new school, give that worry to God.
    “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
  9. You have the chance to make someone’s school year better simply by encouraging them.
    “Encourage one another and build each other up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
  10. Let your attitude stand out this school year. Choose joy, kindness, patience, and grace even when the day gets difficult.
    “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” — Philippians 2:14 (NIV)
  11. Some days will be challenging, but difficult days don’t mean you should give up. Keep going.
    “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest.” — Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
  12. God can use you right where you are — in your classroom, on your team, in your club, and among your friends.
    “Let your light shine before others.” — Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
  13. When you don’t know what comes next, take the next step in faith and trust God with the rest.
    “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
  14. Be confident in who God created you to be. You don’t have to become someone else just to fit in.
    “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” — Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
  15. Before the homework, practices, activities, and busy schedules take over, remember to make time for God.
    “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” — Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
  16. When something doesn’t go the way you planned, remember that one setback doesn’t define your future.
    “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” — Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)
  17. Look for the student who feels left out. A simple hello, invitation, or seat at your table could mean more than you realize.
    “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” — Luke 6:31 (NIV)
  18. There will be plenty of voices telling you who you should be. Make sure God’s voice is the one you listen to most.
    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 (NIV)
  19. Pray about your school year — your classes, teachers, friendships, decisions, challenges, and dreams. God cares about all of it.
    “In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
  20. As you head back to school, remember this: You are never walking into that building alone. God is already there.
    “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” — Psalm 121:8 (NIV)

The Morning Thing is here every weekday morning from 6am – 9am. It is a great start for your day!

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The Cruise-In, a Chalk Competition and the Wood Auction returns to the 2026 Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival

WNZR shines the spotlight on the 2026 Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival this week. WNZR’s Josiah Styer talked with Board Member, Jacob Francis about event logistics.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the photo below.

Jacob serves as the Site and Logistics Director for the Festival. He shared details about this year’s map and festival layout, along with news about when streets will close.
He also shared the good news that 3 favorite events will return. Listen in for details about the 6th annual Car & Motorcycle Cruise-in, the Wood Challenge Auction and the 3rd annual Chalk Competition.

Click HERE for more information on the festival and to see the full schedule.

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WNZR shines the spotlight on the 2026 Hartford Fair

Did you know the “Biggest Little Fair in the World” is close to home and going on this week? YES! The 2026 Hartford Fair is this week!
Eric Brown from The Morning Thing talked with Fair Manager, Roger Smith about this year’s event.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the photo below.

Roger shared schedule highlights, the history of the fair, new events and how to get tickets.
This is the 168th Hartford Fair! You can see the Big Blue Crew tonight along with Monster Trucks and a Fantasy Drone show!

Click HERE to see the complete schedule and all details about this year’s Fair.

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August First Friday is tonight! WNZR joins Experience Mount Vernon to celebrate DOGS!

Lacey Filkins, Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon, stopped by The Morning Thing to talk about tonight’s exciting event – August First Friday.

She shared a highlight of all the fun activities and how the downtown business district will celebrate this theme – Paws On Parde!

Lacey shared details on parking, food, entertainment, the Experience Mount Vernon Passport and how your family can have fun tonight. We also shared all the details of WNZR’s Annual Costumed Paws on Parade.

WNZR will be there tonight! Look for Big Blue near the Dog Fountain on South Main Street.
Don’t miss your chance to register for some amazing prizes. We have prizes for humans and DOGS!

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

Click HERE to find all the details about tonight’s event.

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The Morning Thing Friday Favorites 8/7/26 – we LOVE Dogs!

For our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts are celebrating DOGS – in honor of our annual Dog Costume Parade at August First Friday. The hosts share their favorite memories with their family dog.

Click HERE to hear stories from Marcy, Olivia, Eric, Daniel and Ethan.

Or click the picture below.

We hope to see you and your 4 legged friends in downtown Mount Vernon tonight! Click HERE for all the details about August First Friday and our Costume PAWS on Parade!

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