Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival, Inc.
Brief History and Organizational Detail

The Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival was started by a group of Mount Vernon area individuals concerned about creating a first class music and arts event in Knox County. Growing out of a sidewalk sale/street carnival event entitled “Dixie Days” (cir 1955 beginning), the Festival began in 1988 under the leadership of a broad community based festival committee. Leadership was assumed later by the Knox County Renaissance Foundation. In 1998, the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival, Inc. was created and the event was then managed by a board and operations group specifically directed at the planning and operation of the Festival.

The Festival business is managed by a Board of Directors made up of community business and civic leaders with interest in the production of a great music and arts event in downtown Mount Vernon. The production of the Festival is carried out by a large Operation Committee segmented by areas of expertise and interest based on the makeup of the annual show.

The Festival resides in the offices of the Knox County Convention & Visitors Bureau located at 107 South Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon. The festival is staffed by unpaid volunteers. For general Festival information, contact the Festival at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (740) 392-3378.