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Experience Mount Vernon will close out the 2026 First Friday season with a celebration of the new school year during September First Friday: School Spirit Night on Friday, September 4.
The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. throughout downtown Mount Vernon and is presented by the Parent Support Initiative of Knox County.
The final First Friday of the season will feature live music, family activities, food trucks, community organizations and plenty of opportunities for residents to show off their school spirit.
Music and MTVarts Take the Main Stage
The Parent Support Initiative Main Stage on Public Square will feature live music from Rm 201, a five-piece Mount Vernon rock band performing covers of familiar songs along with some new sounds.
The evening’s Community Spotlight, sponsored by MTVarts, will feature members of the MTVarts cast of The Wizard of Oz.
The Main Stage will also host Are You Smarter Than an Educator?, a game-show-style competition that will pit MTVarts artsIQ students against local educators.
Organizers say the competition promises to combine entertainment with a little friendly academic competition.
School Spirit Takes Over the Activity Zone
Families can head to the Activity Zone on South Main Street, sponsored by Chevrolet GMC of Mount Vernon and hosted by MVNU Athletics.
Activities will include games with MVNU athletics, free face painting from Creations 2 Dye 4, bubbles, music and other family activities.
The Teen Advisory Council will also host September’s craft: single-color T-shirt dip dyeing.
School colors will be available, with shirt sizes ranging from 4T through adult medium, while supplies last.
TAC students will help participants with the tying and dyeing process.
Families are also welcome to bring their own small, 100-percent-cotton items to dye.
Touch-a-Truck Returns
The popular Touch-a-Truck attraction will return for September First Friday, sponsored by United Aggregates.
Vehicles from the Mount Vernon Police Department, Mount Vernon Fire Department, United Aggregates/CTS and Chevrolet GMC of Mount Vernon will be available for attendees to see up close.
Say Cheese for the Class of 2026
A School Photo Day Photo Booth, sponsored by the Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities, will be set up at the Cooper Fountain on Public Square.
The photo opportunity is designed to capture school-spirit memories, whether attendees are celebrating their first day of school, last day of school or simply want to pose for a picture.
Organizers are encouraging attendees to wear their school colors and bring their school spirit.
11 Food Trucks Planned
Ariel Corporation is sponsoring 11 food trucks during the event.
The current lineup includes:
- Annie’s Concessions — Public Square
- Buddy’s Local Eats — Public Square
- Hog Gone Wild — Public Square
- Le Macaron — Public Square
- Mama Lupe’s Kitchen — Public Square
- Round Hill Dairy — Public Square
- Sunny Sips — Public Square
- Tabouli Cafe — Public Square
- Chrome Cones — West Vine Street
- Truckin’ Trav — West Vine Street
- The Funnel Cake Station — West Gambier Street
Organizers note that the food-truck lineup is subject to change.
Visitors can also take advantage of a free bicycle valet on West Vine Street, hosted by Get Healthy Knox County.
Final Chance for First Friday Passport
September will also mark the final month of the 2026 First Friday Passport program.
Kids and families can pick up a passport at the Experience Mount Vernon information table on Public Square.
Participants who complete five of nine designated activities will receive their September stamp and be entered into the September prize drawing.
There is also still an opportunity to qualify for the First Friday Grand Prize Drawing.
Participants must collect all four monthly passport stamps to be eligible for the grand prize. Those who missed previous months can still participate in September and qualify for the monthly prize drawing, but all four stamps are required for the grand-prize drawing.
Downtown Street Closures
Street closures for parked vehicles will begin at 2 p.m., with full road access to traffic beginning at 3 p.m.
Closures will include:
- Main Street between Chestnut Street and Ohio Avenue
- All of Public Square
- High Street between Gay and Mulberry streets
- Vine Street between South Gay and South Mulberry streets
- Gambier Street between South Gay and South Mulberry streets
There will not be a cruise-in during September First Friday. Organizers say the change will allow additional space for activity areas, food trucks and vendors while providing safer pedestrian access throughout the event.
Free and Open to Everyone
September First Friday will be the final First Friday of 2026 following four months of downtown events featuring music, food, local businesses, community organizations and family activities.
Organizers are encouraging the community to make the final event of the season a celebration of Mount Vernon and the start of another school year.
September First Friday: School Spirit Night will take place Friday, September 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. throughout downtown Mount Vernon.
All First Friday activities are free and open to the public.
