Mount Vernon 2018 CityFest Shows a Vibrant and Growing Economy

We’re bringing fun and entertainment back to Mount Vernon. This past weekend, Mount Vernon hosted another successful CityFest. On Saturday, Gramatan Avenue from Lincoln to Sidney, including Hartley Park, was buzzing with excitement as the annual free Mount Vernon music, food and fun festival officially kicked off.

An estimated 5,000 people came out to celebrate Mount Vernon pride and culture. Over 20 different food vendors from across Mount Vernon and the surrounding area served diverse cuisines from Greek souvlaki to Pad Thai and everything in between, and, of course, some Mount Vernon jerk chicken.

Musical performances had the crowd on their feet from local artists, to up and coming groups from New York City like Rebelmatic, as well as a full set from the show’s headline act The Lox. In addition, a special tribute to the life and legacy of the great Aretha Franklin was provided by the wonderful Melba Moore.

Events like CityFest not only raise the city’s spirit, but they also act as drivers of Mount Vernon’s local economy. Our city is growing fast in the arts and entertainment industry, and this is not the first time Mount Vernon has had success in this area. In the early days of the movie business, Mount Vernon was the Hollywood of America before there was a Hollywood.

Last year we commissioned a study that showed almost $400 million was being spent by Mount Vernon residents outside of the city. We’re working to recapture some of that economic power and the results are starting to show. This past month, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released the sales tax statistics, and Mount Vernon’s economy grew by double digits, the third highest growth rate in the state.

Mount Vernon is well on its way to becoming an arts and entertainment Mecca in our region. Our city has so much to offer hidden beneath years of neglect. It’s time for us to polish this diamond in the rough and let Mount Vernon shine as a top tourist destination in our area.

In the coming days, we’ll be releasing our proposed budget, and there are still a few obstacles that we must overcome together, but the results are not linear, they’re exponential. Mount Vernon deserves that type of progress, and I will not stop fighting to deliver for you. That is why events like CityFest are so important and why they are so successful.

Every Year, CityFest unofficially marks the start of a new year. It’s a new year for our students who started school just 2 weeks ago, and this vision of Mount Vernon is one that I shared with the student at the convocation ceremony. As the School District is working to constantly improve facilities and curriculum, we are working to constantly improve our city for all residents, from the kindergarteners to the seniors. We will continue to move Mount Vernon forward together.

*Originally Published in the Westchester County Press*