FAQ
(frequently asked questions)
When is the 2024 festival?
August 8-11, 2024, always the second weekend in August.
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Where is the festival?
Downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio (Knox County), around the Public Square, including North Main to Chestnut Street, South Main to Ohio Avenue, plus East and West Vine and East and West Gambier Streets. The Festival Flower Show is at The Living Center, one block north of the Square, 201 North Main St.
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How do I get to Mount Vernon?
From the NORTH (Mansfield, Bellville, Fredericktown): Ohio 13 to US 36 West to downtown; NORTHEAST (Loudonville), Ohio 3 to downtown
From the WEST (Sparta, Marengo 61/I-71 interchange): Ohio 229 to US 36 West to downtown
From the SOUTH (Sunbury, Centerburg, Granville, Martinsburg, Utica): Ohio 3/36 (within the city, Harcourt Road becomes West High Street), Ohio 661 to Ohio 13, Ohio 586 to Ohio 13, or Ohio 13 directly, which becomes South Main Street, to downtown
From the EAST (Apple Valley, Coshocton, Gambier): Ohio 36 (becomes Coshocton Avenue) to downtown; Ohio 229 to downtown (reminder: 229 is closed in Gambier for ODOT construction until the fall)
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When do the streets close?
This year, streets (mentioned above) close at 3:00pm on Wednesday, August 7. They will remain closed until Sunday evening, August 11.
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Where can I park?
You can park in free public lots on Gay Street, Mulberry Street, or in street parking in that area. There is also public parking on East and West High Streets. Please pay attention to signs and reserved spots.
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What about the Farmer's Market?
The Mount Vernon Farmer's Market moves to the parking lot of The Living Center (201 N. Main St.) on Saturday, August 10.
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How much does it cost to attend?
The festival is free – there is no admission charge. You will want to bring money for food and shopping as you see fit. Preferred seating for the Thursday night Jess Kellie Adams show at The Woodward Opera House is $15. You can also buy preferred seating for the headliner shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights on our website. Lonestar preferred seating is $50 for Gold, $25 for Silver.
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Wait...I thought the concerts were free?
The headliner shows Thu-Fri-Sat are all still free if you want to bring a bag chair/lawn chair and sit on the Public Square. Please do not sit your chair inside of the preferred seating area. Some people prefer paying to sit closer to the stage and we obviously offer that (and it helps defer the cost of the concerts).
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Why are you doing a fundraiser concert?
Putting on this festival costs money, as you know. Bands, street performers, stages, ice, trash, electric and water, plus professional sound crews and promotional materials make up most of our budget. We have a 100% volunteer board and community staff. We rely heavily on sponsors, your support of our food trucks and vendors and the support of our shows, through ticket sales. Proceeds from the Jess Kellie Adams & band show will go directly to the operational budget of the festival.
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How do I become a business sponsor or individual ‘Friend of the Festival?’
You can scan the QR code at the event, or use the DONATE button on this website, or open the PDF Sponsorship Form on the GET INVOLVED tab. Thank you!
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Do you need volunteers?
YES! Of course – they are our lifeblood. We need Welcome Tent greeters, ice crew for vendors, shuttle drivers for handicapped and general help for setup and teardown each night. Click GET INVOLVED and the volunteer Google Doc.
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How do I bid for the Wood Design and Celebrity Pie Auction?
Be at the square around 4:30pm Saturday to get your bid number from the auctioneering team. We will start the bidding at 5:30, with the 24 wood items, 15 pies and 20 meet and greet passes for Lonestar!