JACKSONVILLE, AL — Jacksonville State University’s Spirit on Mountain Street will return Thursday, Aug. 20, bringing food, activities and live music to Mountain Street as students and the surrounding community mark the beginning of a new academic year.
Hosted by the Jacksonville State University Student Government Association, the annual street festival will begin at 6 p.m. on Mountain Street near Jax State’s AmFirst Stadium. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
The evening will begin with Taste of the Town, featuring local restaurants offering samples of popular menu items. Food samples may be purchased using $1 tasting tickets.
Additional activities planned for the festival include a Kids Zone, cornhole tournament, golf simulator, vendor booths and other family-oriented activities.
Country singer-songwriter Vincent Mason is scheduled to headline the evening’s outdoor concert beginning at 7:45 p.m.
Mason, a native of Roswell, Georgia, has gained national attention in the country music industry through songs including “Hell is a Dance Floor,” featured on his debut EP, Can’t Just Be Me. According to event organizers, the 24-year-old artist has accumulated more than 200 million streams across digital platforms.
Mason has also toured and performed with several established country artists, including Riley Green, Parker McCollum, Luke Bryan, Megan Moroney and Gavin Adcock. His music combines contemporary country influences with a singer-songwriter approach to storytelling.
The 2026 event marks the 20th year of Spirit on Mountain Street. The festival is co-hosted by Jacksonville State University, Aligned Insurance and the City of Jacksonville and has developed into an annual community event bringing together university students, area residents and families.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center, which provides financial assistance to individuals and families in the Jacksonville area.
Spirit on Mountain Street begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, with Mason’s concert scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Admission to the festival and concert is free.
