The Mount Vernon Ohio 4th of July Fireworks Celebration tonight was a seriously impressive event.  The fireworks display featured more than 20 minutes of non stop explosions with colorful light up the sky style excitement.  In my opinion the fireworks this year actually exceeded last years event and last year was pretty awesome especially for a small community.  I created a 10 minute video highlight reel of tonights fireworks and I hope you enjoy watching it.

Mount Vernon Ohio was the location once again for the Waco Biplane Reunion.  The event takes place on Granville Road just on the outer edge of Mount Vernon at the Wyncoop property near Blackjack Road.  For years the Waco planes have visited Knox County Ohio and it is a wonderful event to experience for people of all ages.  This event has a relaxed air show feeling except that it really isn't an official air show from what I have read and have been told.  It is a very relaxed gathering with no set schedules and people are continually flying in and out pretty much whenever they want.   I live just a couple of minutes from where the event is held and it is awesome to see these amazing planes flying over.  What is more amazing is to watch the expression on the faces of small children as they see and hear these airplanes.   

Saturday evening I stopped into the Ice Cream Station for a quick bite to eat and I had an opportunity to talk with a group who flew in for the event.  It was an awesome experience to listen to them share stories and I could actually feel their passion and their love for their airplanes and the friendships they had created because of their beloved planes.  What was even more obvious is that this gathering / event was as much about connecting and reconnecting with with other like minded people as it was as much about their airplanes.  If everyone in America was as passionate about life as this group was the world would be an even better place.  If you haven't experienced a Waco fly in Mount Vernon I hope you will take a minute and watch the short video I have included below.  I hope you enjoy it!

This feature article is part of our ongoing community amenity series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  if you would like to view any of our previously featured articles just click on 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  

 

July 1st, 2011.  Mount Vernon, Ohio will be having their annual Independence Day Fireworks Celebration this evening.  Some of the best locations to view the Mount Vernon Fireworks are from the Memorial Park on Mount Vernon Avenue and also from the Mount Vernon High School parking lot.  Another outstanding viewing location is from the high school athletic / sports fields and also from South Division Street next to the football stadium and track.  Be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair because the fireworks display traditionally lasts anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes.  

This community feature is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio".  If you are interested in viewing our previously featured community amenities be sure to visit 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  

Summer Youth Mime Theatre is a joint venture with Kenyon College and Right Brain Productions.  This FREE performance is a culmination of three weeks of intense training, creativity and laughter for the participants in the Youth Mimi program at Kenyon College.  Student performers range in age from 2nd through 12th grade.  If you are looking for some relaxing entertainment that will put a smile on your face be sure to check out the Summer Youth Mime Theatre at the Bolton Theatre at Kenyon College.

This is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio".  If you would like to view any of our previously featured community highlights be sure to visit 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty. 

 

Heart of Ohio Trail.  With only 3.7 miles of asphalt, the Heart of Ohio Trail is well-suited for trail riders and hikers.  Parking is available at Centerburg Memorial Park giving a nice 7-plus mile round trip to the Delaware County line or an eastern trip to Mount Vernon, Ohio, of about 13 miles.  The current paved section is near Mount Liberty and parking is available.  Look for more paving work in 2011 to add another 3.5 miles connecting west to Updike Road.  The Heart of Ohio Trail shares several miles with Dry Creek, passes near the Knox County Horse Park and through several area farms before ending near Parrot Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio.  Watch out for wildlife crossing the trail!  

The Heart of Ohio Trail is a part of the larger Ohio to Erie Trail system that when completed will connect Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. Maintained completely by volunteers, the Heart of Ohio Trail is currently best-suited for hybrid style bikes or mountain bikes.  When the paving is completed, skaters will find a home as well.  A 3-mile horse trail is planned near the Knox County Horse Park on Thayer Road and will run adjacent to the Heart of Ohio Trail.  The future horse trail at the Heart of Ohio Trail will be a wonderful addition and is a significant point of difference between Heart of Ohio Trail and the Kokosing Gap Trail because the Kokosing Gap Trail doesn't allow horses.

This community highlight is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  If you would like to view our previously featured community amenities and attractions please visit 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  This series is brought to you by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty. 

 

 

 

Danville Turkey Festival.  The third weekend in June brings the annual Danville-Howard Turkey Festival to eastern Knox County, Ohio.  A celebration of the area’s turkey-farming heritage, this family event is held at Danville Community Park on State Route 62.  The festivities begin on Thursday evening and lasts through Saturday night. With fun games, food, contests, live music and rides, there is something for the entire family to enjoy at this annual event.

On Friday evening, the Chicken Bar-B-Q dinner is a favorite. Young girls and boys from Danville and East Knox elementary schools compete for the title of Miss or Mr. Turkey with a poster contest and all participants receive gifts and ride in the Turkey Festival Parade. Saturday is filled with events beginning with the 5-mile Run/Walk Turkey Trot, 3-on-3 basketball tournament and car and truck show. In the afternoon, the Turkey Festival Parade takes over Market Street in Danville, Ohio and you might even see some four-legged turkeys. Several auctions are held throughout the event to benefit the festival and the Eastern Knox County Joint Fire Department, as well as other local organizations.

This feature article is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio" by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty.  If you would to see all of our previously featured community articles be sure to click on this link and visit 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.

The Apple Valley Lake is a premier lake resort that is located in a small community in Knox County Ohio.  Apple Valley is comprised of 3700 picturesque acres that surround a sparkling 511 acre lake.  Apple Valley is well known throughout our state as one of the cleanest swimming and boating lakes in Central Ohio and features 3 gorgeous sand beaches. The lake has numerous natural springs that feed the lake with a constant flow of fresh water which explains why the lake water is so clear and the beaches are so clean.  The Apple Valley Lake is the perfect place for those looking for just a weekend get-a-way, a lake house, a vacation home / cabin or for those who desire the ultimate waterfront home.         

The term "Fun in the Sun" truly captures the essence of the Apple Valley Lake lifestyle especially during the spring, summer and the fall seasons.  Boating is one of the most popular activities at the lake and there are no horsepower or cubic inch limitations for boats or jet skis.  Water skiing, tubing and wake boarding are  all fun activities at the lake. Be sure  to bring your digital camera or video recorder because you are certain to capture some amazing photos and video footage at the lake.  Don't forget your fishing gear because Apple Valley is a fully stocked lake with some seriously big fish.  If you have small children or grandkids be sure to check out the fishing pond at Bennett Park which is the perfect spot for young kids who want to catch blue gills one right after another.  

If you love to swim, lay in the sun and tan, pic nic or just kick back and relax you won't want to miss the 3 sand beaches at the Apple Valley Lake.  Sutton Beach and Davis Beach are both located on the west side of the lake and King Beach is located on the east side.  Sutton Beach is located near the front entrance on Baldwin Drive and it's a popular hot spot with the kids.  The setting at Davis Beach is pretty spectacular and features the largest sand shoreline at the lake.  Davis Beach features a 180 degree panoramic lake view from the water, from the beach and even from the parking lot hill.  If you are planning to visit Davis Beach be sure to bring your digital camera because there isn't a bad view from this beach.  King Beach is located in a more remote setting and it's surrounded by beautiful mature trees.  It doesn't matter which Apple Valley beach you visit because you're sure to have a great time. 

There is more to do at Apple Valley than just lake activities.  If golf is your game you are sure to love the Apple Valley Golf Course and the newly constructed club house.  People travel from miles and mies away to play Apple Valley.  The 4th of July is a one of the most popular events at the lake and there are festivities, boating and ski shows and you will be blown away by the Saturday night fireworks display that takes place near the club house.  This is the busiest night at the Apple Valley Lake because most everyone has their boats on the water as they are shooting the fireworks over the lake.  The reflection of the fireworks illuminating over the lake is truly a site to see.  

Many Apple Valley home owners purchase vacation homes for relaxation, family fun, entertainment and for romantic getaways.  Available homes at the Apple Valley Lake typically range in price from $69,000 for a small cabin to $800,000 for a year round waterfront home.  For those just looking to gain access to the Apple Valley Lake amenities or so they can put a boat or jet ski they can simply purchase an affordable vacant Apple Valley lot for as low as $3,000 and the majority of the lots are buildable and include public utilities.  Apple Valley Lake is a private resort and it's amenities are available only for property owners and their guests.  

This is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio" by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty.  If you would like to view our previous feature articles be sure to visit 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  

 

The Mount Vernon Memorial Park is located on Mount Vernon Avenue and this park is a very popular destination for people of all ages.  This park is very well known for having the largest number of baseball / softball fields and ball diamonds in all of Knox County Ohio.  Many people visit Memorial Park for the baseball games either to play or watch a family member or friend.  Be sure to arrive early because sporting events in Knox County attract serious attendance.  However, there is much more to this park than just ball fields.  The park also features a series of very nice lighted tennis courts, a solid surface skate park plus there are even covered pic nic shelters for family reunions and special events.  

If you or your children have grown up in Knox County Ohio chance are very good that both you and your children have fond memories of the annual Easter Egg Hunts that are held at Memorial Park each year.  I can clearly remember my wife and I taking our daughter to more than a few Easter Egg Hunts at this park and it was as exciting for us to watch the excitement on the faces of the kids as it was for the kids to actually hunt for the eggs and prizes.  If you have never attended this event before it is truly something to experience because you can seriously feel the excitement in the air while the kids await the sounding of the starting horn.

This community feature is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio".  If you would like to view our previously featured articles be sure to view 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  This series is brought to you by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800. 

 

If you are looking for a place to cool off in Mount Vernon, Ohio during the warm weather months you will want to visit the Hiawatha Water Park and Swimming Pools.  The Hiawatha Water Park is located on the corner of Sychar Road and Beech Street.  This site of was previously known as the Mount Vernon Community Pool and it has gone through a significant transformation thanks to a our community leadership and most importantly because of the financial contributions from some very giving members of our community.  The efforts of so many Knox County Ohio residents, business owners and the City of Mount Vernon have paid off in a big way because the Hiawatha Water Park and Swimming Pools are one of the communities most popular destinations during the summer months.   

I have personally visited the Hiawatha Water Park on many occasions and I have had a lot of fun on the water slides.  The big yellow water slide is called the tube slide because you ride the slide sitting / laying in an inflatable tube.  This slide is fairly smooth with some nice twists and turns and most of the kids can ride the tube all the way down the slide and float to the pool exit stairs.  The blue water slide is much faster and is known as a body slide.  You won't need a tube for the blue slide and before you know it you are plunging into the water at the bottom of the slide.  Both slides are extremely popular but if you like a bit more speed you will be all smiles on the blue slide.  The water park features some king sized umbrellas, swimming pools, kiddie pool, a partially submerged playground, rope bridge, waterfall, tunnels and a captain's ship steering wheel.  There is something for everyone at the Mount Vernon Hiawatha Water Park and Swimming Pools. 

This feature article is part of an ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio" by real estate professional Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty.  Feel free to check out all of our previously featured articles by visiting 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio feature articles.      .

Our "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio" series takes us to the Brown Family Environment Center at Kenyon College which is an amazing attraction and a place for people of all ages.  You will experience visual beauty, you will hear the sounds of the birds and frogs, you will smell the flowers and clean air and you can walk, photograph, touch and connect with nature.   According to Kenyon College's website there have been more than 10,000 school children visit and experience the Brown Family Environmental Center.   

My grandparents used to live on Porter Road in Gambier which is just around the corner from the Brown Family Environmental Center and our daughter Erica loved the many afternoons they spent there together.  Some of Erica's fondest memories were seeing the turtles and their tiny little baby turtles in one of the ponds.  Last year she revisited the Brown Family Environmental Center for an evening of star gazing with a few of her friends.  

Originally known as the Kenyon Center for Environmental Study when it opened in 1995 was renamed to recognize a generous gift from the Minigowin Foundation to honor Robert Bowen Brown and family.  The center expands well beyond the visitor's center on Laymon Road and includes approximately 380 acres of land.  It's super easy to find and is located less than 4 miles from Mount Vernon just off of 229 east and directly across from the main entrance of Kenyon College.  The next time you take a walk or bike ride on the Kokosing Gap Trail bike and walking path just beyond the 3.5 mile marker you will find a small walking bridge that leads to the Brown Family Environmental Center.  Whether you have hours to spend or just 15 or 20 minutes the Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College is a community attraction worth visiting.

This feature is part of our ongoing series called 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio by real estate professional Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty.  Feel free to check out all of our previously featured articles by visiting 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio feature articles.