Marion
Popcorn Festival
The Marion Popcorn Festival is the largest popcorn festival in the world annually attracting crowds in excess of 250,000. Having been named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association, prides itself on having something for everyone. The festival had its first year in 1981.
Each year Americans consume about a billion pounds of popcorn.
The Marion Popcorn Festival is the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday after Labor Day.
On Thursday a show for seniors is held inside the Palace Theatre free of charge, along with the parade beginning at 6:00 pm. Free top name entertainment every evening at the outdoor main stage. On Thursday will be an AC/DC Tribute Band, Friday will be country star, Blake Shelton and Saturday will be pop stars, Gin Blossoms. Lots of food, rides, local entertainment and popcorn for all to enjoy!
Also visit...
Popcorn Museum
While visiting the Popcorn Festival, be sure to visit the Popcorn Museum. Located at 169 E. Church St. They will have extended hours during the Marion Popcorn Festival, Sept. 6-7-8, 2007. The hours will begin at 12 noon till 6:00 pm.
The Wyandot Popcorn Museum opened in early September of 1982, just prior to the 2nd annual Marion Popcorn Festival. Not only is it the only Popcorn Museum in the world, it also represents the largest collection of restored popcorn antiques.
Summer Hours:
May 1st thru October 31
Wednesday thru Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Winter Hours:
November 1 thru April 30
Saturday and Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Closed:
Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
For more than 100 years, a 5,200 pound ball of black granite has been slowly rotating on a pedestal in the Marion Cemetery. It was featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not in 1929. The cemetery is located at 620 Delaware Ave, in Marion, just off SR 423 (south of the downtown area). Just so you're not disappointed, the rotation of the ball is not visible. It's a little bit like looking at a glacier-- you know it's moving, but you just can see it with the naked eye but over a period of years, you can measure how far it has moved. The same thing with the ball.
Visit the home of the 29th President, Warren G. Harding. This house is where his famous campaign speches were held. The home is open to the public on Saturdays April - October with the last tour beginning at 4:00pm. Also visit the nearby Harding Memorial.
