Tag: events

Centerburg Celebrates America and Community During Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival

The Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival is returning to Centerburg for its 21st year, bringing two days of family-friendly entertainment, live music, food, rides, and fireworks to Memorial Park.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart and Olivia Skillings recently spoke with Candy McCracken, President of the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival, who has been involved with the event since its beginning.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

McCracken says one of her biggest motivations for helping organize the festival is making sure today’s children have the same opportunities she enjoyed growing up. She remembers attending community festivals and events throughout her childhood and wants future generations to create those same memories.

The festival begins Friday at 1 p.m. and continues until 9:30 p.m. Activities include rides, food vendors, crafters, Cowboy the Pony, face painting, and the return of the popular Reptile Adventure, where visitors can interact with snakes, lizards, frogs, and other animals while learning more about them.

Friday’s entertainment schedule includes the Waterloo 5 Band at 2 p.m., followed by the Baby Crawl and Toddler Race at 6:30 p.m. The Little Miss Liberty and Little Uncle Sam Pageant begins at 7 p.m., with live music from Katie and the Red Hots closing out the evening at 8 p.m.

Saturday starts with the festival parade at 10 a.m. featuring the Columbus Saints Drum and Bugle Corps. Following the parade, the American flag will be raised and the National Anthem performed before activities officially begin at noon.

Saturday attractions include a Princess Party featuring Moana and Merida, Old-Time Wrestling at 2 p.m., a karaoke competition at 4 p.m. with youth and adult divisions and cash prizes, Nicks and Tricks at 6 p.m., and Crossthread at 8 p.m.

The festival concludes with fireworks at 10 p.m., sponsored by Peter Hayden Chapman Amvets Post 59 and Charles Andrews American Legion Post 460, which together funded the $10,000 display.

This year’s festival also celebrates the upcoming America 250 observance, with patriotic themes featured throughout the weekend, especially during Saturday’s parade.

McCracken reminds visitors that parking at Memorial Park is very limited due to the new playground and is reserved for vendors and handicap parking. Additional public parking is available in designated lots near downtown Centerburg, with walking access to the festival grounds.

She also expressed appreciation for the many volunteers and organizers who help make the event possible each year. Those interested in supporting the festival or volunteering can find more information through the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival Facebook page, at heartofohiousa.com, or by contacting festival organizers directly.

Click HERE to find out more about the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival!

(Photo courtesy of Heart of Ohio USA Days website)

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“Once Upon a Holiday” Brings a Fairytale Winter to Downtown Mount Vernon

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.

  • The Holiday Parade begins at 4 PM, running north and ending at Public Square.
  • With 52 entries—including floats, trucks, and of course, horses—it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest parades yet.
  • Parade judges will be out selecting winners for several award categories, each supported by local sponsors.

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:

  • Sunday, after the lighting ceremony until 7 PM
  • Wednesday, December 10, from 5:30–7 PM, both at the Mount Vernon Grand

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.

  • Registration to participate is open until December 8.
  • Community voting happens December 12–14.
  • You can vote and view the full map of participating homes and displays at: experiencemv.org/2025-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!

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Local libraries host collections to benefit Food For The Hungry

John Chidester, Director for the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County shared with WNZR about their annual collection.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click the link below.
They have been supporting FFTH for decades!
Food and monetary donations are being accepted through 12/13 at the libraries in Mount Vernon, Danville, Fredericktown and Gambier.
This year, the library has an extra incentive for those that donate. Each time you give a donation, your name will be put into a drawing for a gift card!

Non-perishable items that are at or near their expiration dates, damaged, or in compromised containers will not be accepted. All collected food and money will be given to the 2024 Food For The Hungry Drive. Donations from each community will stay in that local community.

For more information about this year’s campaign, go to foodforthehungrycares.org

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Knox County Elementary kids are collecting donations for Food For The Hungry this week!

WNZR is honored to partner with the 43rd annual Food For The Hungry Drive.
Today, The Morning Thing shared talked with Debbie Ruggles, President of Psi Iota Xi Sorority about this year’s elementary school collection.
Psi Iota Xi has been involved with FFTH for 25 years!

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

The collection is happening this week – 11/18 – 11/22 at all Knox County Elementary schools: Centerburg, Danville, East Knox, Fredericktown, Columbia, Dan Emmett, Pleasant Street, East, St. Vincent DePaul, Twin Oak and Wiggin Street. The Knox Learning Center and 6th Grade at Mount Vernon Middle School are also participating.

Debbie shared that there are rewards for the top collectors:
– The Top Class in each school will receive a pizza party from Psi Iota Xi
– The top donor from each school will be honored in the Food For The Hungry broadcast at the Knox County Memorial Building on Friday, Dec. 13. The students will be recognized on our live video stream at www.mvnu.tv, as well as on 100.9 FM and 93.7 HD2 – WMVO, with reports given on WNZR and 93.7 the Super Q. 

A green flyer went home with the kids this past Friday sharing all the details. This flyer also included the Top 10 food items needed at our local pantries.

The Top 10 items needed for our local pantries include soup (pop-tops or packages), jelly, canned meals (ravioli, spaghettios, etc.), breakfast foods (cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix), canned fruit, canned vegetables, pasta/egg noodles, side dishes (boxed or packaged), peanut butter, and pasta sauce. 

Though non-food donations are welcome, cash donations are encouraged because $1 donated is equivalent to $4.56 of buying power through the Mid-Ohio Collective. Checks should be made payable to Food For The Hungry. All donations collected in each school will stay in the community in which they were donated. These students are asked to demonstrate the idea that no one is too young to make a difference and that the community is better when we work together!

Follow FFTH on Facebook (@FoodForTheHungryKnoxCounty) and Instagram (@FFTHCares) to stay up to date on all things FFTH. Get involved by attending events, donating, volunteering, or even hosting your own event for FFTH! If you are hosting an event or collection, make sure to fill out the Community Event/Collection Form on the FFTH website. 

To learn more about FFTH, donate, or find photos, videos, and more, visit www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org. To volunteer with FFTH, call or text Kathy Brechler at (740)-409-1866 or email Director@FoodForTheHungryCares.org. 

The 2024 FFTH Live Broadcast will take place on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Memorial Theater inside the Knox Memorial. This is a Knox County tradition you won’t want to miss!

Food For The Hungry—Working together to care for our neighbors. 

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