Mt. Vernon Fall Fest

Welcome to Mt. Vernon Fall Fest! Browse through our applications and let us know if you have any questions. This is an electronic agreement and by selecting the booths, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

All Food Vendors will be admitted after consideration from the committee. Factors considered include, but are not limited to:1. Previous participation in Mt. Vernon Fall Fest.2. Menu options. We strive for a variety of offerings for the attendees to enjoy. 3. Setup size and amenities needed. 4. References from other festivals.  Festival management reserves the right to make final determination of all booth assignments. Rules & RegulationsA flat Food Vendor Fee for booth space of $150. A limited number of non-profit organizations will be permitted in the food court for half price.  $25 deposit fee is due with submission of application along with vendor fees.Your deposit of $25 will be refunded if the following criteria are met over the course of the event weekend:  (1) Your booth remains open and accessible to the public for the  entirety of the Food Court hours, including no early tear-downs, (2)  Vendors are required to clean up after themselves. Vendor booth must be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner. Vendors are responsible for taking trash to designated dumpster located on Festival grounds.  This fee is in ADDITION to your booth fee, but will be refunded if the above is followed.  Please provide a separate check and the check will be returned to you after the event if rules are followed.    All fees must be paid in full prior to set-up.  

*Accepted food vendors will be notified of trailer/tent set up time for Thursday, September 25th. 

Friday Night Vending: 
All vehicles must be out of Festival Zone by     3:00 p.m.
Festival opens to the general public at 5 p.m.
Food Vendor Area closes after Entertainment ends (around 11 p.m. ) 

Saturday Vending:
Festival opens to the general public at 9 a.m.
Tear-down will begin after the headliner finishes around 11 p.m. no vehicles in Food Vendor Area until 11 p.m. and absolutely no early tear-downs allowed.

Volunteers will answer questions about the location and schedule of various Fall Fest activities.

Assist with organizing and guiding parade participants in the staging area before the Mt. Vernon Fall Fest Parade. Volunteers will help direct floats, vehicles, and walking groups to their assigned spots, ensure parade participants are lined up in the correct order, and provide friendly reminders about safety guidelines. During the parade’s start, volunteers will help maintain a safe flow of entries and keep staging areas clear for movement.

Mini Health Expo Volunteer Coordinator Lead and support volunteers during the Mini Health Expo at The Commons from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27th, just before the Mt. Vernon Fall Fest Parade. The Volunteer Coordinator will oversee the check-in process for volunteers, assign tasks, and ensure smooth operations throughout the event. Responsibilities include assisting vendors with setup needs, monitoring activity areas, answering questions from attendees and volunteers, and troubleshooting any issues that arise. This role is key in creating an organized, welcoming, and informative experience for both guests and participants.

Serve as the point person for all performances and demonstrations on The Commons Stage during Mt. Vernon Fall Fest. This volunteer will help keep the event running smoothly by ensuring acts start and end on time, coordinating with performers such as local dance groups, gymnastics teams, taekwondo demonstrations, a magician, and a drumline showcase. Duties include greeting performers upon arrival, confirming performance order, assisting with basic setup needs, communicating with sound or technical staff, and keeping the schedule on track. The Stage Coordinator plays a vital role in creating a seamless, engaging experience for both performers and the audience.

Oversee and coordinate hospitality needs for all entertainers, stage crew, and sound crew during Mt. Vernon Fall Fest. This volunteer will ensure that all performer and crew requests, including items from provided riders, are received and delivered as needed throughout the event. Responsibilities include maintaining and stocking the stage cooler with drinks and ice, replenishing supplies during the day, and checking in with entertainers and crew to address any comfort or logistical needs. The Hospitality Manager plays an important role in keeping the behind-the-scenes team supported, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved in the festival’s performances.

Help make the Mt. Vernon Fall Fest Cruise-In a fun and memorable event for participants and spectators! Cruise-In volunteers assist with a variety of tasks, including welcoming and registering participants, directing cars to designated parking areas, judging entries, announcing event details, and helping with awards and door prize distribution. Volunteers may rotate between roles or focus on one area as needed. This position is perfect for anyone who enjoys classic cars, meeting new people, and being part of a lively festival atmosphere.

Join Us for the 2025 Mt. Vernon Fall Fest Parade Band Expo!
On behalf of the City of Mt. Vernon and Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc., we are thrilled to invite you and your students to be part of the 2025 Mt. Vernon Fall Fest Parade!

✨ Mark your calendars:
  Saturday, September 27, 2025
⏰ Parade step-off: 1:00 p.m.

This year marks our 13th year offering adjudication, awards, and cash prizes for marching bands — and we would love for you to be part of one of Southern Illinois' most exciting festivals!

 
Who Can Participate?
We welcome high school and junior high / middle school bands of all sizes.
Bands will compete in the following divisions:

High Schools, 250+ enrollment
High Schools, 249 or fewer enrollment
Junior High / Middle Schools (open class, all sizes)
 

✅ Divisions & Awards

High School (250+ enrollment)
High School (249 or fewer enrollment)
Junior High / Middle School (open class)
Prizes per division:
1st – $500 | ? 2nd – $250* | ? 3rd – $100*
(*based on minimum participation)

Overall Grand Champion – $1,000 (may adjust if <8 bands entered)

 
Why You Should Join
✔ Perform in front of an enthusiastic community crowd
✔ Get valuable adjudicated feedback
✔ Compete for great prizes
✔ Celebrate your band’s hard work at one of the best fall festivals in the region!

 
We can’t wait to see you there!
Bring your music, your talent, and your school spirit — and help make this year’s Mt. Vernon Fall Fest Parade the most memorable yet!

 

James Ware Memorial Drumline Showcase
Immediately Following the 2025 Fall Fest Parade

The Commons Stage, Downtown Mt. Vernon

 

Get ready for an electrifying musical experience as the James Ware Memorial Drumline Showcase in downtown Mt. Vernon! Held on The Commons stage immediately following the Deaconess Illinois Crossroads Small Town Common Ground Fall Fest Parade, this high-energy event strives to bring together some of the most talented and dynamic drumlines in Southern Illinois and beyond.

 

Named in honor of the late James Ware, a beloved former Mt. Vernon High School drummer, the showcase celebrates rhythm, precision, and the powerful community spirit that music inspires.

 

Marching bands that participated in the parade will transition from the street to the stage, where their drumlines will go head-to-head in a thrilling, upbeat performance filled with syncopated beats, cadences, solos, and crowd-pleasing routines.

 

This event isn’t just a performance—it’s a celebration of music education, tradition, and the honoring the incredible impact that James Ware had on our community. 

 

Whether you're a drumline fanatic or just love a good beat, this showcase is sure to keep your toes tapping and your hands clapping!