The Town of Marion, in partnership with Marion Downtown, is looking forward to warmer weather, shorter sleeves, and longer days, as they celebrate being a Certified Virginia Main Street Community for thirty years.
“There’s always something to do in Marion,” said Mayor Avery Cornett,” and Summertime is the BEST time for us to bring folks outside and together with live music and fun for the whole family”.
The Monthly Marion Downtown Cruise Ins are back, beginning in at the Marion Farmers Market Pavilion and stage. Bands include Marcus Boyd (May 16), Ro-Sham-Bo (June 20), Victor Lawson and Boogie Chillin’ (August 22) and Deadman’s Hand (September 19) Admission is free.
Memorial Day Weekend begins in late May as downtown features thousands of white crosses and American flags honoring veterans who have passed, followed by a special concert at the Lincoln Theatre Sunday afternoon May 24, and the Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 25 at 10am along Main Street.
The Marion Community Juneteenth Celebration Weekend is set for June 19-21, with special programs at Carnegie School and the Mount Pleasant Preservation Society all weekend. Juneteenth highlight is a free community all day celebration on Friday, June 19th at the Marion Farmers Market Pavilion featuring “Entice” from 6-9pm. Weekend festivities include live music, kids’ activities, food trucks and more, Admission is free.
July 4th brings a return of the popular Marion Downtown Car Show at Riverbend Park from 11-2, with Ben Morris and BeachWaves Radio filling the air with the tunes of the boardwalk live from the Main Stage all day. By popular demand, The Southeast Crabfest is moved to Sunday July 5t, kicks off at 5 at the Marion Farmers Market pavilion, with ticket purchasers enjoying all you can eat blue crabs, fish and chips (advance ticket sales only). The weekend wraps with a community fireworks program on Sunday, July 5 at dusk following the Hungry Mothers baseball game.
The third weekend in July is Marion’s Reunion Weekend, with the annual Hungry Mother Festival at the Park sponsored by the Art League of Marion all weekend long. Friday night, July 17, Phantom is back for their traditional Main Street Block Party from 6 until 10. Saturday, July 18 is the 12th annual “Hungriest Mother Food Festival”, named one of Virginia Living Magazine’s Top Food Festivals in Virginia, with food challenges from pickled eggs to Mountain Dew. Live entertainment includes “Soul Sandwich”, “Momma Molasses”, Nuke Buschner, and “Holy Rollers” on the Main Stage beginning at 2pm.
The 40th annual Marion Downtown Chili Championship will be held on the second Saturday in October. In addition to the chili cookoff, live entertainment includes “Deadman’s Hand”, Mack Berry, and Chase Payne live on the Main Stage. Entertainment starts at 2 with a featured performance by Mrs. Sarah’s Ballet classes.
“Scarecrow Lane” is set for October, and “Halloween Madness” downtown trunk or treat is Saturday, October 24 from 11-1 at participating businesses and on Broad Street.
The annual Albano Gobbler Gallop ushers in the holiday season on Thanksgiving Day, followed by “Merry Marion” Downtown Open House on Thursday, December 3 with the Community Christmas Tree Lighting at 6pm, and the Marion Christmas Parade on Friday, December 4 at 7pm along Main Street.
Additionally, the first Saturday night of each month, the Town of Marion sponsors “Song of the Mountains” live tv taping at the Lincoln Theatre. The Marion Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 until noon through the season and offers special holiday markets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The historic Lincoln Theatre offers a full schedule of programming, from live music to classic movies. The Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts provides a free jam session every Monday night for bluegrass and old-time pickers, and other local venues, including nearby Hungry Mother State Park, offer live music and entertainment as well. Downtown Merchants host special “after hours” events on First Fridays, and the Appalachian Spirit Gallery next to Marion’s Town Hall hosts “Second Friday Artwalks” April through December with live music and refreshments.
For more information on events and activities in Marion, visit marionva.org or follow us on Facebook. (Note: all events are subject to change. Please visit our website for the most up to date information).
Marion’s events are sponsored by The Town of Marion, Marion Downtown, and Beach Waves Radio. Additional support is provided by WCYB. WJHL, The Smyth County News & Messenger, SWVA Sun, and WMEV. Information on upcoming events is provided by Ken Heath, Office of Community and Economic Development.
