Mount Vernon’s beloved Heritage Days returns Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12, with a full weekend of family fun, food, live music, and community spirit.
This year’s celebration embraces a nostalgic Y2K theme in honor of the 25th reunion of the Mount Vernon Class of 2000.
“This event always brings people back together. It’s a community-wide celebration that highlights what makes Mount Vernon special,” said Jessie Thurn, in her first year as both CDG and Heritage Days Director.
Organized by the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) and Heritage Days Committee and Mount Vernon Schools, the festival reflects months of planning— securing vendors, scheduling entertainment, and coordinating with the city. Longtime contributors like the Mount Vernon Lions Club, Mount Vernon Wrestling Club return to help run events and play key roles in the weekend’s success.
The event kicks off Friday evening with the community party at the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center. Food trucks, yard games and the return of the Pickleball tournament are highlights. The kids fun run will also take place at the Martha Parsons Family Activity Complex at the nearby Mount Vernon High School.
This year, the Mount Vernon Alumni Association will be hosting an alumni event at the Performing Arts Center lobby at the high school from 6:30 to 9 p.m., concluding just before the drone show takes place.
The evening will conclude with a drone show at the sports complex.
This year’s Saturday lineup also features a few new additions—including a Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony on the main stage, a Conservation Station for kids, and expanded games and activities in Memorial Park— while also bringing back crowd favorites like the community breakfast, parade, car show, inflatables, food trucks, and the popular drone light show. Mount Vernon alumni activities will be hosted at the Mount Vernon Visitor’s Center, which will provide air conditioned location during the festival.
The conservation station is also being sponsored by the local chapter of Iowa Women for Water, which collects water samples April through October from local streams.
“We test for nitrates and other pollutants,” explains Laura Krouse, Mount Vernon chapter member and owner of Abbe Hills Farm. “We’ve joined the Isaac Walton League and other environmental organizations concerned about water quality in Iowa. Folks want to see for themselves what’s in our water. They’ve read or heard that Iowa’s streams and rivers are polluted and are sharing what they learn with elected officials.”
For a full schedule of events and updates, visit: https://visitmvl.com/our-events/mount-vernon-heritage-days-festival/.
“We want everyone to feel like there’s a space for them here, whether that’s spending time in Memorial Park, playing carnival games, or enjoying a concert in the street,” Thurn said. “We’re trying to be more mindful about shade, cooling areas, and accessibility too.”
Beyond the fun, Heritage Days not only offers entertainment but also supports the local community, drawing alumni, tourists, and residents downtown to explore. Local sponsors will be recognized throughout the weekend with banners and acknowledgments.
Events will take place along First Street, on both the east and west ends of downtown. The east end will feature the Heritage Days Car show this year, as well as a concert from Kat Blue and the True Believers in First Street Community Center Gym. Highway 1 will remain open, and public parking is available behind businesses and on surrounding streets during the festival.
As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Mount Vernon continues its commitment to vibrant, preservation-based community development. The city has proudly held its Main Street Iowa designation since 2008.
Don’t miss one of the most anticipated events of the summer in Mount Vernon. Whether you’re an alum, a first-time visitor, or a longtime local, Heritage Days offers a weekend full of memories in the making.
Editor Nathan Countryman contributed to reporting.