The Marion Popcorn Festival’s Popcorn Parade is set to step off at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2015. The theme for this year’s event will be “A Poppin’ Safari.”
According to Parade Chair, Mary Dutton, safari is a Swahili word which translates to ‘journey’ and, “journey we will down the parade route on September 10.” Dutton continued, “Our ongoing objective is to improve the quality of the parade, so we appreciate and encourage entries of floats that reflect the theme and uses popcorn in a creative manner. So, bring your best Tarzan and Jane jungle themed float as we kick off the 35th Annual Marion Popcorn Festival in downtown Marion.”
Parade organizers have mailed entry forms to last year’s participants. If you did not receive a form or are a new entry this year, forms and complete rules are available online at www.popcornfestival.com.
The deadline for parade entries is August 17, 2015.
Dutton indicated that, “In order to have the lineup completed and your position in the parade mailed back to you in time, we have to set the deadline several weeks in advance of the actual parade. Entries will not be accepted after the deadline of August 17.”
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. Main stage entertainment for 2015 includes Straight On: Heart Tribute Band on Thursday, September 10; country star Rodney Atkins on Friday, September 11, and rock band Warrant on Saturday, September 12. 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.
Other events include the Popcorn Parade with over 300 units, a popcorn cooking contest, a fine art show, crafts, Popcorn 5000 5K run, Popcorn 100 bike tour, the Community Showcase Stage Hometown Talent Stage, Poppin’ Party 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.
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