26Th Annual Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival

The Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival is the premier event of the year in Downtown Mount Vernon.

Music, crafts, cars and family fun abound at the Dan Emmett Music and Arts Festival. Held to celebrate the legacy of Daniel Decatur Emmett, author of such songs as "Dixie" and "Turkey in the Straw," the Dan Emmett Music and Arts Festival showcases artists and musicians performing such styles as bluegrass, country, folk, oldies, rock-n-roll, Christian and big band.

Held on Thursday through Sunday of the second week of August, the Festival's trademark is its outstanding music and entertainment format and a juried artisan exhibition offering awards for artistry and presentation.

Musical entertainment in the past has included such artists as Arlo Guthrie, The Letterman, Phil Dirt and the Dozers, The Kingston Trio, Arnette Howard, Jazz Arts Group of Columbus, The Four Aces, Back Beat, The Four Lads, Jan & Dean, The All-Ohio State Fair Band, The Avalons, Joey Dee & The Starlighters, The Vogues, and Paul Revere and The Raiders. Saturday's entertainment includes an old-time fiddle, and bluegrass banjo contest. Musicians from all over come to compete for prizes while entertaining a crowd full of old-time music lovers.

Visitors can take time out to see the historic sites of Mount Vernon including Dan Emmett's birthplace and the Woodward Opera House, America's oldest authentic 19th century theater.

Sunday is dedicated to gospel music, kid's activities, an antique and classic car show and arts and crafts. Many local and national Christian artists perform for audiences on Sunday.

For music, crafts, cars and family fun, visit the Dan Emmett Music and Arts Festival.

The Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival was started by a group of Mount Vernon area individuals concerned about creating a first class music and arts event in Knox County. Growing out of a sidewalk sale/street carnival event entitled "Dixie Days" (cir 1955 beginning), the Festival began in 1988 under the leadership of a broad community based festival committee. Leadership was assumed later by the Knox County Renaissance Foundation. In 1998, the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival, Inc. was created and the event was then managed by a board and operations group specifically directed at the planning and operation of the Festival.

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