Holman, Edwards Named 2013 Little Wee Pops

Twenty-nine contestants vied for the title of Marion Popcorn Festival’s 2013 Little Wee Pop Prince and Princess at Marion Harding High School Saturday morning.  Little Wee Pop is designed for children aged 0 – 23 months.

The 2013 Prince is Jackson Holman, who also captured the Overall Formalwear Award and his age division in Photogenic.  He is the 12-month old son of Matt and Nikole Danner Holman of Marion.

The 2012 Princess is Raelyn Paige Edwards.  She is the 7-month old daughter of Auston Edwards and Samantha Cook of Marion.  Edwards won her age division in Formalwear.

Receiving Runner-Up awards were Connor Weisenauer for prince and Izabelle Enderle for princess.  Weisensauer is the 23-month-old son of Cory and Danielle Weisenauer of Bucyrus.  Enderle is the 15-month-old daughter of Cassandra Swisher and David Enderle of Marion.

The 2013 Little Wee Pops will be featured on the Main Stage of the Marion Popcorn Festival.  They will also ride in the Festival’s Orville Redenbacher Parade, and represent the Marion Popcorn Festival at various parades and events throughout the state.

Division winners included:

• 11 months:
  Formalwear:    Raelyn Edwards
  Photogenic:    Kurerra Vernon
• 12 – 23 months:
  Formalwear:    Izabelle Enderle
  Photogenic:    Jackson Holman
• Overall Formalwear:        Jackson Holman
• Overall Photogenic        Connor Weisenauer

Receiving honorable mention awards were:  Hallie Lynn Castline, De’Seyanah Boldin, Macie Kearns, Audrianna Spitzer, Gracie Lynn Newell, Keelan Vernon, Kayleigh Banks, Lexis Nicole Geyer, Kinslee Miller, Lydia Leigh Harbolt, Kayann Elizabeth Nelson, Jahaza Taniyah Rayne Thompson, Jordynn Renae Cramer, Isabella Friley, Lillian Sibrel, Reign Shewmaker, Annadaysia Clark, Emma Hogan, Madolyn Elizabeth Strzelecki, Lillian Oswald, Cody Stroupe, Ariana Wray, Bryanna Thompson, and Isabelle Blair.

Businesses responsible for sponsoring the event and many of the Wee Pop gifts and awards were:  Ideal Printing Service, Marion Auto Sales, Precision Auto, Goldrush Jewelers, Wal-Mart, Jerzee Drive Thru, McDonalds (Vince Ebner), Dolfin Music Service, Greenwood Floor Center, Georgia Mills Carpet, Ready-To-Rent, The Dance Factory, Candel’s Renovations, Burger King, and  Jane Wyatt.

Also contributing were BlueFusion Entertainment, The Columbus Zoo, Blue Streak Car Wash, Godfathers, PaPa John’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, LA Tan, Donatos, L & P Cake, Zoombezie Bay, Tubby’s Pizza, Red Lobster, Marion Flower Shop, El Campesino, and House of Hunan.

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.

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.