Ariel-Foundation Park will present An Evening of Celebration for All Things Green on Thursday, October 9, at the Schnormeier Event Center. The free community event will feature the return of Mount Vernon native bandleader Vaughn Wiester and his renowned 21-piece Famous Jazz Orchestra, joined by acclaimed vocalist Rachel Sepulveda.
 
Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with a variety of food trucks options from Panchos Tacos, Grindhouse Barbecue and Roundhill Dairy, as well as a cash bar provided by the Alcove Restaurant available on site. The orchestra will take the stage at 6:00 p.m. Seating is open; guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs, though folding chairs will also be provided inside the Event Center.
 
The evening will spotlight the 10^th anniversary of Ariel-Foundation Park, 25th anniversaries of Owl Creek Conservancy and the Philander Chase Conservancy, and additional recognition of the Knox County Park District, the Brown Family Environment Center, the Kokosing Nature Preserve, and Habitat for Humanity. These organizations represent decades of dedication to preserving natural spaces, wildlife, and sustainable community growth.
 
Wiester and Sepulveda share a long history. They first met at Capital University, where Wiester became a mentor and gave her early opportunities to perform his classic arrangements from the Great American Songbook. Originally from New York, Sepulveda moved to Columbus in 2003 to study jazz and has since earned acclaim both nationally and internationally. Her career includes performances at jazz festivals in Montreal, Montreux, and Umbria, as well as local favorites such as the Columbus Jazz and Ribs Fest and Festival Latino.
 
Wiester, a celebrated trombonist, arranger, and educator, has earned a reputation as one of the Midwest’s foremost bandleaders. His Famous Jazz Orchestra, which performs weekly in Columbus, is known for its rich big-band sound and faithful interpretations of classic jazz, swing, and American standards. Over the years, the ensemble has featured some of the region’s top jazz talent and developed a devoted following for its lively, authentic performances.