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The Mount Vernon Food & Wine Festival event flavored with live music is conducted on the fourth Saturday of October and preceding Friday evening on and around the plaza in downtown Mount Vernon.  These events were predated by the Wine in the Pines, a wine tasting event established in 2010. Since that time, the event has evolved into a culinary experience for those who want more than “a tasting”.

Saturday’s “Harvest Market” is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for visitors to experience the inspired wine and food parings from a select group of high quality wineries. Other vendors with wine or culinary related ties will be featured, along with a variety of culinary demonstrations by chefs from these “top shelf” wineries which have culinary offerings at their home bases throughout the region.

    Online registration is required for wine and craft vendors for Saturday’s Market on Main at http://mtvernonfoodandwine.com. Meanwhile, call the sponsoring Mount Vernon Main Street office at 903-537-4070 with questions.

The annual Boots, Brew & Barbeque (B³) has been set  for the first Saturday in June (June 3, 2017) in downtown Mount Vernon. The Franklin County Cultural Preservation Society, which sponsors the event, has tried various time of the year, but hopes this will be the reoccurring weekend for the event.

The event, established in 2014, centers around a barbecue cooking competition. Live music throughout the day, vendor booths, and craft beer sales/tastings keep things lively. The event will conclude with a street dance.

Check the Optic-Herald for more details or the event’s Facebook page.

Christmas Festival – The Christmas season is kicked off by the Christmas Festival the first Saturday of December, Dec. 6. 2014.

Chili Cook-Off – A Chili Cook-off provides fun and food for the day. Funds from the competition go to the Community Food Bank of Franklin County. Registration to cook begins in November. Call the Chamber at 903-537-4365.

Art, Crafts, Parade – Various other activities are planned, including singing, arts and craft booths throughout the day, and the annual parade at 11 a.m. The Christmas Parade winds through the streets of downtown. Santa visits with children in the Old Depot Museum immediately following the parade. Museums and merchants stay open late to serve patrons. Watch the Optic-Herald for specifics on times and locations for these events.

Tour of Trees – The Old Depot Museum will be filled with decorated Christmas trees sponsored by the Franklin County Historical Association. Local children’s organizations are invited to decorate a tree in the exhibit. Attendees can vote for their favorite entries, with prizes being awarded. The exhibit will be available for viewing during the Christmas Festival. It will also be available during the museum’s operating hours Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at other times by appointment by calling 903-537-4760.

Ice Skating Rink/Decorated Windows – The opening of the Chamber of Commerce’s ice skating rink and annual unveiling of artfully decorated windows has been set for the Friday, Nov. 14. The theme at both events is “Jingle Bells and Gingerbread.”

Windows on the Holidays –The window project promotes the use of decorations and animations to accent the windows of local businesses through the holidays. The windows remain lighted and operational each evening. Volunteers are needed as decorators and craft fashioners of parts.

Holiday on Ice Skating Rink –This is the second year for the rinks operation mid-November through early January. The location will be somewhere in the downtown area and it will be open late afternoons and evenings. The dates and times will be announced later. Operations are overseen by volunteers from nonprofit organizations which share in the proceeds with the Chamber.