Festival Organization

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 105 South Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon. The festival is staffed by unpaid volunteers. For general Festival information, contact the Festival at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (740) 392-3378.