Area Women to Vie for Popcorn Festival Titles this Weekend

The 32nd annual Miss Marion Popcorn Scholarship Program will be held this Saturday, August 3, 2013 at Marion Harding High School.  Also crowned that night will be Ms. Marion Popcorn Festival.  The events will run simultaneously and begin at 7:00 p.m.

Six will vie for the coveted Miss Marion Popcorn Festival title.  Each must have graduated from high school, be single and be no older than age 24 years as of August 3, 2013  The applicants will compete in talent, interview, evening wear, popcorn wear (an outfit that salutes popcorn) and an onstage question.  The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, crown, banner, and prize package.  There are also four runners-up selected who will receive scholarships, banners, and a prize package.

Ms. Marion Popcorn Festival is open to ladies single or married, ages 25 or older as of July 1, 2013.  The six contestants in this group will be judged in evening wear, popcorn wear, interview, and onstage question.  A winner and two runners-up will be selected.  The winner will receive a cash prize, crown, banner and prize package.  The runners-up will receive prize packages.

Both Miss and Ms. 2013 Marion Popcorn Festival pageant winners will be highlighted on the Festival’s main stage, take part in the Orville Redenbacher Parade, and represent the Marion Popcorn Festival at local and statewide events throughout the coming year.  Contestants for Miss or Ms. Marion Popcorn Festival must reside in Marion, Crawford, Delaware, Hardin, Morrow, Union, or Wyandot counties.

Main stage entertainment for 2013 includes WANTED: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band on Thursday, September 5; iconic group The Village People on Friday, September 6, and country artist Jo Dee Messina on Saturday, September 7.  All performances on the Festival’s main stage begin at 8:30 p.m. and are free of charge.  A limited number of Kernel sponsorship seats are available for any of the main stage performances by calling 740-383-2076.

The Marion Popcorn Festival is the largest popcorn festival in the world with an annual attendance estimated in excess of 250,000 over the three-day festival.  Other events include the Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Parade with over 300 units, a Poppin’ Pooch Pageant, a popcorn cooking contest, a fine art show, crafts, Popcorn 5000 5K run, Popcorn 100 bike tour, a community showcase stage, and more.

For more information on the full slate of activities, visit www.popcornfestival.com or call 740-387-FEST.   The Marion Popcorn Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Marion.

Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Contestants

Ms. Marion Popcorn Festival Contestants