As the city's First Friday celebration makes its July appearance — the second since its post-pandemic return — it does so with a theme: Hometown Heroes.

According to a press release from Main Street Mount Vernon, Friday evening will highlight honorees selected by the Mount Vernon Strong campaign this year to recognize first responders, health care workers and others who have remained resilient over the past year.

“[Mount Vernon Strong] was a way to shine a light on those community members that truly went out of their way in 2020 to continue to progress Mount Vernon along, but also kept us safe during the pandemic,” said MSMV Director Anthony McNeal. “It was also used as a motivational campaign to push organizations in the county to the finish line with the pandemic.

McNeal said most of the 30 individuals designated as Hometown Heroes will be publicly recognized Friday night at the main stage located along the South Main Plaza at 7:15 p.m. (One or two may be unable to make it.)

Here’s a list of the individuals:

Chef Nav Ajodhya – Owner & Chef, Half Baked Café, Georgetown BBQ, Cindy’s Pierogis

Lori Amstutz – Owner, Williams Flower Shop

Nento Baawine – Owner, Eastend Nutrition Studio

Bob Boss – Regional President, Park National Bank

Chief Chad Christopher – Chief, Mount Vernon Fire Department

Cindy Cunningham – Partner, Kidwell & Cunningham

President Sean Decatur – President, Kenyon College

Brock Evans – Physical Education Teacher, Mount Vernon City School District

Taylor Gregory – Student Athlete, Mount Vernon Nazarene University Women’s Basketball

Lois Hanson – Owner, Paragraphs Bookstore

Lauren Heffelfinger – Preschool Director, Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Chef Paul Higgins – Chef and Advisor, Mount Vernon Farmers Market

Dena Hess-Mckinstry – House Manager, Woodward Opera House

Tom Hinkle and Daren Tyson – City of Mount Vernon Streets and Parks Departments

Jordan Kandel – Facility Operations Supervisor, Knox County Career Center

Amber Keener – Mount Vernon City Council

Courtney Lower – HR Administrator, Knox County Job & Family Services

Mark Maxwell – Director, Knox County Emergency Management Agency

Renee McDaniel – Owner, McDaniel CPA

Captain Scott McKnight – Captain, MVPD

Julie Miller - Health Commissioner, Knox Public Health

Chief Robert Morgan – Chief of Police, MVPD

Staff and Residents of Mount Vernon Developmental Center

Mount Vernon Nazarene University Athletics Staff

Steve Oster – Director, Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Justin Sanford – Athletic Director, Mount Vernon City School District

Dr. Henry Spaulding – President, Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mayor Matt Starr – Mayor, City of Mount Vernon

Laura Webster – Director of Operations, Knox County 9-1-1

Kimberly Weitkamp-Gum – Owner, The Makery