The Mount Vernon Music Festival kicks off today and runs through Sunday.
Click HERE to hear all of Thursday’s Interviews!
We talked to a number of folks associated with the festival about the entertainment, music, food and fun:
Click HERE to learn more about the Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival!
Marcy got to chat with two wonderful women, Debbie Ruggles and Noella Nzishura, both are members of this years Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival Board!
Debbie tells us about the different vendors they will have at this years festival, as well as the many food options there will be.
Noella describes how great it is to be a volunteer and she highlights her journey from volunteer to board member. She will also be participating in the West African Percussion performance on Saturday at 4pm!
For more information on the festival, click HERE!
Today was an exciting day at the Salvation Army in Mount Vernon. A group of Women United joined together to pack 300 backpacks for the Salvation Army. Women United is an affinity group of the United Way of Knox County Ohio comprised of passionate women who offer their time, talent and treasure to improve lives throughout Knox County.
After packing backpacks for local students, the ladies had the chance to tour the new Salvation Army 13,270-square-foot childcare center called “The Learning Lighthouse”.
Captain Christine Moretz shared a timeline for opening the new center, plus an update on fundraising.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the link below. Pictures from the event are also included below.
The 167th Hartford independent fair kicked off Sunday and runs through August 9th, packed with family-friendly fun events every day.
WNZR’s Eric Brown spoke with Fair Manager Roger Smith about fair.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
On Saturday, Kylie Holman and Ethan Goodwin were crowned the 2025 Hartford fair queen and king.
This week’s big attractions include the high-energy monster truck show on Wednesday and the ever-popular rough truck contest on Friday night.
Admission is $10 at the gate or $9.50 online, with weekly passes also available.
The fair takes place at the Hartford fairgrounds on Fairgrounds Road outside Croton (or Hartford, depending on who you talk to).
Click HERE for the full schedule and details
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.
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!
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!
The City of Mount Vernon hosted a luncheon on Thursday 7/31/25 to honor their employees. The Workforce Development Employee Awards honored our city workers for their dedication to make Mount Vernon a fantastic place to live and work.
Workers reaching milestones were honored – from 5 years up to 30 years of service. The retirees of this last year were recognized. Also, new employees were announced.
Congratulations to Jonny May for 30 years of service. He works in the Public Works Department.
Click HERE to hear Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr share comments on this special event.
You will find pictures of the event and a list of our wonderful City Employees below.
Eric got to have a fruitful conversation with Mount Vernon Mayor, Matt Starr! They talk about a plethora of topics regarding our great city. They accentuate some of the events that have happened in our community, as well as ones that are coming soon!
WNZR talked with several 4H winners about their Miscellaneous Projects for the 2025 Knox County Fair. These students are now representing Knox County at the Ohio State Fair! We say congratulations and wish them the best of luck as they represent our county.
Click HERE or use the link below to hear from these outstanding students!
Here are the 2025 Ohio State Fair representatives who placed 1st in the Miscellaneous Projects. Congratulations and Good Luck!
Companion Animal, Cat-1: Cora Ruckman
Companion Animal, Pocket Pets: Emma Ruckman
Companion Animal, Self-Determined: Rebekah Mandau
Creative Arts, Getting Started in Art – Sr.: Destinee Dickerson
Creative Arts, Scrapbooking – Sr.: Lainey Dunham
Creative Arts, My Favorite Things – Sr.: Blake Hegemier
Creative Arts, self-Determined: Davanee Hart
Food and Nutrition, Yeast Breads on the Rise: Alice Ulrey
Food and Nutrition, Cooking on My Own: Addison Mostaka
Food and Nutrition, Global Gourmet: Micah Phillips
Food and Nutrition, Beyond the Grill: Reese Hubbard
Food and Nutrition, Let’s Bake Quick Breads – Jr.: Lucy Maleszewski
Food and Nutrition, Racing the Clock to Awesome Meals – Jr.: Abigail Proctor
Healthy Living, Staying Healthy: Abby Williamson
Healthy Living: First Aid in Action – Jr.: Jase Kieffer
Natural Resources, Outdoor Adventurer – Beginning Fishing: Jolene Rice
Natural Resources, Outdoor Adventurer – Intermediate Fishing: Anson Wenger
Natural Resources, Ohio Birds – First Year: Layla Robinson
Natural Resources, Geology – Can You Dig It?: Madelyn Untied
Natural Resources, Shooting Sports, Rifle – Sr.: Memphis Hart
Natural Resources, Shooting Sports, Archery – Jr.: Josie Michalak
Natural Resources, Shooting Sports, Archery – Sr.: Kendall Taylor
Natural Resources, Safe Use of Guns – Jr.: Wyatt Schirtzinger
Natural Resources, Basic Archery – Jr.: Ivan Ulrey
Photography, Photography Basics – Book 1: Lucas Roth
Photography, Photography Master: Savannah Tabor
Quilting, You Can Quilt – Jr.: Ryleigh Scarpitti
Self-Determined – Jr.: Rhett Mandau
Rockets, Rockets Away – Bottle Rockets: Brooklyn Bruff
Knots, Not Just Knots – Jr.: Jolene Rice
Vet Science, All Systems Go!: Luci Byler
Woodworking, Measuring Up – Jr. Unit 1: Kaden Carpenter
Workforce Preparation – Here, There, Ag Careers are Everywhere: Jocelyn Tabor
Workforce Preparation, Self-Determined: Clara Kost
Clothing, Terrific Tops: Phoebe Hults
Clothing, Clothing for Middle School: Callie Shultz
Clothing, Sundresses and Jumpers: Kate Gottke
Clothing, Shopping Savy – Jr.: Josie Snyder
Clothing, Dress Up Daywear: Bella Byler
Clothing, Sew Fun – Jr.: Kensleigh McClellan
Clothing, Em*bel*ish: Luci Byler
Clothing – Ready Set, Sew Active!: Madison Seng
Rise and Shine 