Ariel-Foundation Park is participating in Ohio's America-250 celebration for the nation's 250th anniversary.
On Thursday, July 4, Ariel-Foundation Park is hosting Mount Vernon's yearly celebration of the nation's Independence Day, taking place at the Schnormeier Event Center.
The community can expect a lot of fun, including a free evening of live music and a variety of food options to buy from different vendors. Additionally, there will be a fireworks display from the City of Mount Vernon to light up the sky, which both kids and their families will surely enjoy.
The Schnormeier Event Center will open its doors at 5 p.m., welcoming guests as food service begins, with local vendors stationed throughout the venue. Beer, wine, and liquor are available for purchase inside the Event Center. Guests are reminded that only alcohol bought on‑site may be consumed within the venue, and it must remain inside the fenced area. Smoking and pets are not permitted within the Event Center. Seating throughout the event is free and available on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Guests inside the Event Center may use park chairs or bring their own, while those on the lawn or terraces should plan to bring personal seating. No reserved tables or seating will be offered.
At 5:30 p.m., the Backroad Divas ignite the celebration, setting the night in motion. They will be performing "favorite hits from some of country music’s most recognizable female artists of the 1990s," according to the City's press release. A distinctive violin and guitar sound will fill the center as Linden and Melvin take the stage to bring attendees back in time with the 70s and 80's favorites.
The Ariel‑Foundation Park July 4th Celebration will feature the Highwaymen Show Tribute as the evening’s headliner, beginning at 7:30 p.m. This recreation of the legendary country supergroup brings the music of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson to life. Audiences can expect beloved classics, including Ring of Fire, On the Road Again, and Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys, leading into the City of Mount Vernon’s fireworks display at approximately 10 p.m.
To secure the area for the fireworks presentation, several road closures will be in effect. The road through The Woods and the main park road in front of the Event Center will close at 2 p.m., allowing pedestrian and accessible parking traffic only. Pittsburgh Avenue will close from the Clock House lot to Seventh Avenue at 8 p.m., restricted to residential traffic. The Lakes area gate at Madison Avenue will close at 10 p.m. Columbus Road will close to southbound traffic at approximately 9:30 p.m. and remain closed until the park clears following the fireworks. Suggested alternative viewing locations for the fireworks include Arch Park, the Harcourt Road parking area at Ariel‑Foundation Park, the CA&C Depot, and Memorial Park.
Parking will be directed by volunteers from the Exchange Club of Mount Vernon and Knox County. The majority of spaces will be located at The Lakes area via Madison Avenue, near the Urton Clock House off Pittsburgh Avenue, and in designated lots off Harcourt Road. Accessible parking will be limited and available on a first‑come, first‑served basis in the Event Center lot. Grass parking is prohibited. Additional parking can be found downtown, at the CA&C Depot, and at Memorial Park. Guests are encouraged to use the bike trail and Riverwalk under the viaduct for convenient access to and from the park.
Those spending the day at Ariel‑Foundation Park are invited to enjoy trails, lakes, and recreational opportunities prior to the evening festivities. Kayaks and canoes equipped with proper safety gear may be used for fireworks viewing from The Lakes area, though swimming remains prohibited. Rastin Observation Tower will be open until 8 p.m., while the Urton Clock House will be closed during the event.
The July 4th Celebration is sponsored by Ariel Corporation, Park National Bank, Gordy and Fran Yance, Knox County Foundation, Knox Community Hospital, Griffin Insurance, United Aggregates, The Energy Cooperative, and the Knox County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Super Q 93.7 FM will broadcast live from the park beginning at 6 p.m., simulcasting music to accompany the fireworks display.
