Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. is inviting the community to downtown Mt. Vernon for the first Market Days of the season on Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Commons. The popular event will feature a wide variety of vendors, food, family-friendly entertainment, and special Easter-themed activities throughout downtown.
A major highlight of the day is the Community Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by United Way of South Central Illinois, which will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. at The Commons. The free egg hunt is open to children ages 12 and under, offering thousands of candy- and prize-filled eggs. Families are encouraged to arrive early and bring baskets for collecting eggs.
The Easter Bunny will make appearances throughout the event, greeting families at The Commons at noon, and also visiting the Shriners Children’s Screening Clinic from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 124 N. 10th Street. Hosted by Ainad Shriners and Mount Vernon Lodge #31, the complimentary clinic welcomes families with children who may have orthopedic concerns or are seeking a second opinion. Children will be evaluated to determine if their condition may be treatable at Shriners Children’s St. Louis.
After the egg hunt, live music from Eastwood & The Prairie Wolves will fill the air, with a performance lasting until 2:30 p.m., adding to the festive atmosphere.
Adding to the month’s excitement is the Downtown Golden Egg Quest, an interactive promotion encouraging exploration of local businesses. Participants can pick up a Golden Egg Passport, visit participating downtown locations to find hidden golden eggs, get their passport stamped, and turn in completed passports by March 28 for a chance to win a DMDC Golden Basket filled with downtown goodies.
Market Days continues to be a staple event in Mt. Vernon, offering unique shopping with antiques, handmade goods, baked items, produce, and more. For more information about Market Days or upcoming events, visit www.enjoymtvernon.com.