WNZR shared the amazing totals of the 2025 Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Collection. Thanks to everyone that packed a shoebox. The goals for Knox County and the Central Ohio Team have been met this year!
Downtown Mount Vernon is getting ready to sparkle—fairytale style. Lacey Filkins, Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon, recently sat down with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart to share everything we can expect from this year’s Winter in Downtown theme: “Once Upon a Holiday.” Think whimsical storefronts, magical parade floats, and that cozy, storybook feeling that only small-town holidays can deliver.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
Small Business Saturday: Shop Local, Find Treasures
The celebration kicks off with Small Business Saturday, which Lacey describes as part shopping event, part treasure hunt. The goal is simple: support the heart of Mount Vernon—our small businesses and local shop owners. Many stores downtown will be open and offering surprises throughout the weekend.
Sunday’s Holiday Parade & Downtown Festivities
Sunday’s schedule is packed with charm and activity.
For safety, visitors are asked not to park downtown due to the number of horses, vehicles, and people involved. The best viewing spots? South Main Street and around the Square.
Free Photo Booth Fun
From 1–6:30 PM, stop by the lower level of the Mount Vernon Grand for a free photo booth experience—complete with themed props provided by community sponsors. It’s a great chance to capture those holiday memories with friends and family.
Lighting of Public Square & Santa Sightings
Immediately after the parade—around 5 PM—the community will gather for the lighting of Public Square. Santa himself will help flip the switch to kick off the season.
You can also snag free photos with Santa:
If you’d like to give back, you can bring Food for the Hungry donations to designated collection points downtown. FFTH will also be represented with a parade float.
Festival of Lights Returns
Another much-loved tradition is back: the Festival of Lights.
Lacey also explained a few voting guidelines to keep things fair and fun for everyone.
Rain Plan
If Sunday’s parade gets rained out, it will be rescheduled to the following weekend. However, the lighting ceremony will still take place Sunday night, rain or shine.
A Look Ahead
Before wrapping up, Lacey shared gratitude for Experience Mount Vernon’s partners and team members whose work makes all these events possible. She also hinted at big things coming in 2026, including First Fridays and celebrations tied to America’s 250th birthday.
To stay connected, follow Experience Mount Vernon on social media or visit their website for updates, volunteer opportunities, and event announcements.
This season, Mount Vernon isn’t just celebrating the holidays—it’s stepping right into a storybook. And you’re invited to be part of every chapter.
Click HERE to learn more about Winter in Downtown!
Today on the Morning Thing we got the chance to talk with many of our fellow staff members!
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the WNZR staff thought it’d be fun to share some of their favorite foods that they will be eating!
Food For The Hungry Board President Austin Swallow shared details about the second pop up food distribution that took place on Saturday 11/22!
He explained what each family received at the distribution. He also shared that around 150 families were blessed!
Austin also gave thanks to all involved with this pop up food distribution and talked a little about the upcoming 44th annual Food For The Hungry Drive.
To learn more about Food For The Hungry click HERE!
We got the chance to chat with Jim Riggle, the Principle of Academics, Attendance, and Discipline at the Knox County Career Center.
He shared that they had over 400 new students apply to be in their program at the first chance application night last Thursday.
He also talked about the canned food drive, and change drive they are doing to support Food For The Hungry.
To learn more about the Career Center click HERE!
For our Friday Favorites, our hosts on The Morning Thing shared their favorite Thanksgiving food! It is that time and we can’t wait to see all the food on our tables!
We sat down with Austin Swallow, the Food For The Hungry Board President! They are getting started early this year by helping families with some pop-up food distributions in our community.
Austin tells us the motivation behind these events and he gives us the details on one happening very soon! He also talks about the upcoming Food For The Hungry Drive happening in December.
To learn more about FFTH click HERE!
Today on The Morning Thing, Marcy and Xander explored some great ways to take Thanksgiving to the next level! These are tips that will make you and your family love the holiday even more.
Some of our favorites:
To view the full list click HERE! You won’t regret it!
We spoke with Jill Haught who is part of the Operation Christmas Child Central Ohio Team and oversees church relations in Knox County.
Jill shared a little about her role with the ministry and why it is special to her. She also gave some advice for packing shoeboxes and told us where to take them.
Lastly, she listed some goals that they have for this year’s collection and told us how we can be praying for Operation Christmas Child!
This years goals for our local collection points:
Brandon Baptist Church – 4,457 Boxes
Faith Baptist Church – 1,201 Boxes
To learn more about Operation Christmas Child click HERE!
To find local collection points click HERE!
We got the chance to speak with Dr. Bob Tocheff, MVNU Professor of Music, about their upcoming performance of Handel’s Messiah!
This is MVNU’s 57th performance and Bob has been directing for the past 35 years.
He shares with us an overview of the program and dives a little into each of the three parts. He also explains how this event helps MVNU students and how important it can be.
To learn more about the performance click HERE!
Rise and Shine 