Heritage Days in Mount Vernon pays tribute to ‘Star Wars’

MOUNT VERNON - Organizers of this year's Heritage Days Festival in Mount Vernon are encouraging all those who attend to find their inner Luke Skywalker or Princess Leia.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the event this year's Heritage Days Festival parade has a 'Star Wars” theme.

Heritage Days takes place Thursday through Saturday in and around Uptown Mount Vernon.

'Join us as we honor 30 years of Heritage Days and 40 years of Star Wars,” said Jenny Hampton, chairwoman of the Heritage Days Committee. 'This year we are bringing back popular events such as Art in the Park and the Car Show.”

The three-day event also includes fireworks, old-fashioned carnival games, live performances, bingo, a beer tent, softball tournament and a 'mini-Olympics for kids.”

Art in the Park runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Park, 311 First St. NW.

The Car Show runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the same day on the street in front of the park.

Heritage Days begins at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Kernoustie Country Club, 203 Country Club Dr., with a 'mini-Olympics for kids.” Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. It will be followed by food and family activities and the annual Fireworks Display at dark.

Food vendors will be set up on First Street West from noon to midnight Friday and Saturday. A beer tent will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday and noon to midnight on Saturday.

The Mount Vernon/Lisbon Young Adult Theatre will be presenting 'Godspell” in the District Auditorium, 525 Palisades Rd. SW, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

On Saturday, the Heritage Days 5K Walk/Run takes place starting at Mount Vernon High School, 525 Palisades Rd. SW.

The Main Street Stage on Mount Vernon's First Street West will feature live entertainment from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Friday and 12:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Mainstage performers include Funk Daddies at 9 p.m. Friday and Crazy Delicious at 9 p.m. Saturday.

The Heritage Days Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Saturday, starting on First Street West, and winding down Fifth Avenue North to Seventh Street. Line up begins at 10 a.m.

There will be a series of Old-Fashioned Carnival Games set up on First Street, each managed by a different community group.

Also returning this year is a live community talent show, 'Mount Vernon's Got Talent,” from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Friday at the Main Stage. To sign up, go to http://signup.com/go/ddGavmN.

A complete schedule of events is available at visitmvl.com.