SPI - Mount Vernon, OH

09/04/2026

Wow! This early reader (and astronaut) was busy planting sight words and having fun at
at SPI Spot today. She and her mom had infectious good energy that delighted our team. Thanks for spending time here.

09/04/2026

08/24/2026

Remember when The Shazzbots! rocked SPI - Mount Vernon, OH’s total solar eclipse party in 2024? They are still out there entertaining families and have re-released Bugs, Bugs, Bugs🐞 🐛 🐜. If little sibs are bummed seeing their bigger sibs head off in the school bus without them, this could be a just-right treat before going outside to look for …BUGS!

It was 11 years ago...
On a day just like today...
In a town just like this...
On a planet called Earth...

The galaxy's greatest kid's rock band released a crowdfunded television show to the masses!!
That show went on to amass 1,000's of views on Amazon and 4 regional Emmy awards!!
'We're The Shazzbots - Bugs, Bugs, Bugs' was a labor of love by many talented artists; that poured everything they had into making a TV show pilot worthy of the legacy of Sesame Street and P*e Wee's Playhouse.

We premiered our show to 2 sold-out theaters 11 years ago at the Gateway Film Center (where we had performed over 100 HOOT Family Film Series at the Gateway Film Center). It was magical to sit in an audience to watch together this thing we had sunk all of our money and over a year of our lives into. We wish we could have made more for you.

But NOW, for all our ShazzPals and ShazzCadets, we have decided to release 'We're The Shazzbots' for FREE on our YouTube channel!! You can now watch all our crew's hi jinx whenever and wherever you want!!

Give a watch again, and spread the word to everyone who has kiddos that they like to rock out with!!

And always remember... WE LOVE YOU, PALS!!

Captain Captain as Ian Hummel
Luna Stardust as Dianne Hummel
Navigator Scopes as Mike Heslop
Watts Watson as Steve Frye
Professor Swiss Vanderburton as Joshua Tully

With the unbridled talents of:
Matthew Hubbard
Joel Jackson
Jordan Schmelzer
Mitchell Rogers
Brandon & Joey Derossa
Naomi Rossman
Alexa Schukstack
Joe Snyder
And MORE!

08/15/2026

Now hiring for part time program associates for fall positions, starting in September! Looking for applicants who are friendly, naturally-curious, energetic, and eager to learn new things.
www.spi-mountvernon.org/employment.html

08/14/2026

We hope to see you during the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival! Staff will need to manage flow so that lots of families can enjoy time inside our fun space - please plan to keep your visits shorter tomorrow and then make your way to KidFest on West Vine Street between Main and Mulberry.

08/06/2026

At SPI’s Around the World camp yesterday kids enjoyed drumming, singing, and learning new words and expressions from West Africa. A tai chi group shared adjacent park space with us and welcomed the complementary cultural concepts done in tandem. What a lovely day!

07/16/2026

Kids at Blow Off STEAM camp have been using lots of different tools to make cool stuff. We have room for more registrants at session 2. Sign up at https://spi.jumbula.com. We offer generous no-hassle financial assistance with support this season from Knox County Foundation.

07/16/2026

This secret clubhouse bed tent will be in the prize drawing during the Back to Nature series gathering at Arch Park this Thursday 7/16 at 6 pm. Come check out a hidden pocket park for a chance to win it.