Category: First Fridays

MVNU Faculty invite you to the fun and interactive Education Fair at September First Friday

September First Friday’s theme is “Back to School”! MVNU Faculty members encourage you to join the focus on education in downtown Mount Vernon. Families are invited to participate in the education activity and department fair located in the Public Square. From 6pm to 9pm, you be able to visit multiple tables hosted by MVNU Departments. You and your kids will get the chance for hands-on learning and exploration. Find out more about MVNU and have some FUN this Friday 9/5 from 6pm – 9pm.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with these professors:
Click HERE to hear their conversations.
Dr. Jose Oomman – Engineering – This department will offer tours of the newly renovated Hunter Wright Hub for Engineering and Computer Science. Stop by the basement of 18 East Vine Street.
Dr. Jon Bosley – Environmental Biology – Stop by their table to see rocks, minerals, fossils, plants and other items related to biology.
Dr. Dawn McKee – Communication Sciences and Disorders – Stop by and pick out a gently used book and a children’s book about stuttering. Find out about MVNU’s Speech Therapy Services.
Dr. Rachel Young – Social Work – Their table will focus on self-care! Stop by to pick up your own self-care bag!
Professor Amy Dubusky – Education – Stop by their table and make an origami bookmark. You can also sign up for a book giveaway and a book bundle.
Dr. Deb Garee – Nursing – Stop by their table and pick up a sensory bag filled with health care items. They will also be giving away gently used children’s books.

Don’t forget to stop by Big Blue and see talk to students in the Communication & Media (Digital Media) Major. You can be part of a live broadcast, sign up for a great prize basket and sing our Birthday song!

We will see you and your family this Friday from 6pm – 9pm in downtown Mount Vernon!

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Conversations with our 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award recipients!

Congratulations to the the city of Mount Vernon, Ohio, Volunteers of the Year for 2025.
These outstanding volunteers were announced and recognized by Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr at August First Friday. They tell us more about what they do in our community and give us some advice on getting involved!

Here is some more information on each of them:

• Paul Acitelli, who died on June 18 of this year, consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to helping others, particularly individuals with disabilities. In addition to adopting a family every Christmas through the Salvation Army or Interchurch Social Services of Knox County, he continually raised thousands of dollars to support disabled people in need of housing assistance, utilities or to fund recreational access via pool passes.

• Heather Barbour, the physical education teacher at Twin Oak and Columbia Elementary Schools, has been responsible for bringing many sports programs and activity initiatives to Mount Vernon. She’s done this through her volunteer work with Lifepoint Church, the City’s Recreation Board and more. Bicycling is a priority for her, and she has helped many kids learn how to ride a bike via the All Kids Bike program and as the bike safety coordinator for Mount Vernon’s Safety Town.

• Jeff Williams and Courtney DeCosky, through their Nellie Six Productions, have made a huge impact on the arts scene in Mount Vernon and Knox County. Within just a few short years, they have turned the Summer Front Porch Concert Series into one of the City’s top cultural events of the year. As founding members of the Kokosing Valley Arts Alliance, they have worked to create opportunities and remove barriers for local and regional artists to develop and share their art.

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Friday Favorites – Our favorite memories with our dogs!

For this week’s Friday Favorites we shared our favorite memories with a family dog! This comes in honor of the WNZR annual Dog Costume Parade happening at August First Friday.

Our crew is very excited for this cute and cuddly event!

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WNZR gets all the information about August First Friday from Lacey Filkins!

Marcy sat down with Lacey Filkins, the Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon!

Lacey gives us the rundown on everything happening at August First Friday. Not only does she highlight the schedule but she also gives us the details on street closures and the parking situation.

WNZR’s annual Dog Costume Parade is highlighted tonight and we hope to see you there. Come sign up at WNZR’s tent up on the public square!

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July First Friday is tonight! Join WNZR and kick-off a great Independence Holiday weekend!

The Morning Thing talked with Lacey Filkins, Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon about July’s First Friday. It IS happening on a Thursday (7/3/25).
Click HERE to hear the full conversation, or click the link below.

Lacey shares the details about this exciting event for families. She gives us highlights of the schedule, entertainment, food choices, parking and the theme – Red, White, & Blue Party! The event happens tonight from 6pm – 9pm in downtown Mount Vernon. We hope to see you there to celebrate our Independence Holiday.

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All the details about June First Friday!

Lacey Filkins, the Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon, came to chat with us about this special event! She gives us all the details about June First Friday in downtown Mount Vernon!

There is so much happening and you will definitely not want to miss it! Come join in on the fun and while your there stop by Big Blue to register to win our “Take a sip, Take a dip, Turn it up” prize basket!

For all the details on tonight and what is happening, click HERE!

If you want to hear our conversation with Lacey, click down below!

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June First Friday Sticker Winner – Gunner Butler!

We got to chat with Gunner Butler, who won the Twin Oak Elementary Sticker Design Competition! Gunner’s sticker will be featured and given out at June First Friday in downtown Mount Vernon!

He details his sticker and highlights some of the history he learned as part of the history of Mount Vernon unit during the school year!

If you want to see his sticker you can click HERE, or come on down to June First Friday and get in on the fun!

To hear our conversation with Gunner, click HERE!

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June First Friday Sticker Winner – Addy Gross!

We got to chat with Addy Gross, who won the Twin Oak Elementary Sticker Design Competition! Addy’s sticker will be featured and given out at June First Friday in downtown Mount Vernon!

Addy talks about her sticker and how is excited she was to win! She also mentions First Friday and what she is looking forward to.

If you want to see her sticker you can click HERE, or come on down to June First Friday and get in on the fun!

To hear our conversation with Addy, click HERE!

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Get Ready! Get Set! Have Fun This Summer!

On the Morning Thing Thursday, Eric shared a 2025 guide to fairs and festivals in Knox County and surrounding counties. This is a great guide for some Summer Fun from Knox Pages.

Some of the events that Eric mentioned include:

  • June First Friday in downtown Mount Vernon.
  • Centerburg Heart of Ohio USA Days
  • Knox County Fair
  • Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival

WNZR will also be a number of summer events, and we are also looking for community partners to help cover these events.

Click HERE to find out how to become a partner of On The Road with Big Blue this summer.

Click HERE to see all the events listed by Knox Pages.

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