When the 2013 Marion Popcorn Festival Orville Redenbacher Parade steps off at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, a community leader will be at its helm. Tom Bell, Marion City’s Chief of Police, has been tapped as the 2013 Grand Marshal.
“No,” was the first response Bell had when asked to lead this year’s parade. “I was greatly honored,” said Bell, “but I don’t like the limelight … so it took a bit for me to agree.” As he pointed out, “If you notice, I generally have other officers do the interviews with Columbus media … I’m not sure how I’m going to handle being in the parade.”
Retiring November 2 after 34 years with the Marion City Police Department, Bell said, “I’m proud of the Marion City Police Department and the officers we have. It’s tough being a cop, but we have a great department and the people in Marion get a good bang for their buck.”
When asked what Bell felt was his biggest accomplishment, he immediately responded naming the Community Policing Stations. “They were a great success that, unfortunately, turned to regret when we lost them due to the budget cuts. The Community Policing Stations were a wonderful instrument in the war on drugs, and their absence has had an adverse effect on our community.”
Bell believes another milestone in his career was the closing of Marion City’s jail. “By closing the city jail and making use of the Multi-County Jail,” said Bell, “we’ve saved millions of dollars. And the former jail space is now used as our property room … we have the most secure property room in the area.”
A graduate of Marion Harding High School, Bell has lived in Marion most of his life. He and his wife, Mary Lou, have three children – Melissa (Mike) Chaney, Ryan (Dawn) Bell, and Wes Bell – as well as four grandchildren. When asked what he plans to do with his retirement, Bell said, “I’ll probably just rest for the first six months … then I may get my real estate license and work with my wife.”
Mayor Scott Schertzer stated, “Chief Bell has been an extremely dedicated individual not only to the Marion Police Department, but also to the City of Marion during his years of service. There is no doubt that he will be missed after retirement.”
“We are truly honored,” said Mary Dutton, Marion Popcorn Festival Parade Chairman, “to have this man who has dedicated so many years to our community as our grand marshal. I hope the thousands lining the parade understand just how much this man has given of himself to Marion.”
The Marion Popcorn Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Marion, and the Festival’s parade is sponsored by ConAgra Snack Foods with trophies by Poet Energy Corp.
Currently celebrating its 33rd year, 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 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, or if you are interested in obtaining Kernel Seats for the entertainment, visit www.popcornfestival.com or call 740-387-FEST.
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