5th Annual Johnny Appleseed Fall Festival

Downtown Mount Vernon to Celebrate Fall at the 5th Annual Johnny Appleseed Fall Festival

Mount Vernon, Ohio — Experience Mount Vernon invites the community to kick off the fall season at the 5th Annual Johnny Appleseed Fall Festival, happening Friday, October 3rd, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on East Ohio Avenue between South Main Street and South Gay Street.

Presented by the Peoples Bank of Gambier, this family-friendly event brings together the spirit of autumn with music, food, and hands-on activities for all ages.

The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with performances by 3rd-grade students from Pleasant Street and Wiggin Street Elementary schools. At 5:30 p.m., Jim Stoner of the Mount Vernon Players and MadCap Living History will take the stage to portray John “Johnny Appleseed” Chapman himself, sharing the legend that has long been part of Knox County’s cultural heritage. The entertainment continues at 5:45 p.m. with an interactive Hungarian dance tutorial by the Kenyon College Dance Department, followed by a rousing performance by the Ohio Celtic Fiddlers at 6:15 p.m. Main stage entertainment throughout the evening is sponsored by the Knox County Foundation.

Families will find plenty of activities to enjoy. The Horse-N-Round Fun petting, presented by the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel and Great Point Kitchen & Events, will bring animal encounters to the festival, while the KidZone, sponsored by Gantt Homes and hosted by the local Scouts, will feature games and activities. Guests can also stop by the pumpkin painting fundraiser, hosted by the United Way of Knox County, or enjoy colorful designs at the face painting booth, presented by the Peoples Bank of Gambier and volunteers. To capture memories of the evening, attendees can visit the fall-themed photo booth sponsored by ViaQuest.

No fall celebration would be complete without food, and this year’s festival delivers. The Knox Foodies Food Truck Trail, presented by Glen Hill Orchards, will be located in the parking lot behind COTC and will feature a variety of delicious options. Miller’s Farm Market will be on-site, offering seasonal products so guests can stock up on all their fall needs.

In addition, the Johnny Appleseed Fall Festival is an approved DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) event, allowing attendees to purchase beer or wine from participating downtown establishments and enjoy them at the event. More details on the Mount Vernon DORA program can be found at www.experiencemv.org/mount-vernon-dora

“This event truly captures the spirit of fall and the best of our community,” said Lacey Filkins, Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon. “It’s a celebration of fall traditions, local talent, and family fun, all made possible through the generous support of our sponsors.”

The Johnny Appleseed Fall Festival is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends and family to enjoy an evening filled with music, food, and activities in Downtown Mount Vernon.