MARION, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—As the scent of buttered popcorn begins to drift through downtown Marion, anticipation builds for the 44th annual Popcorn Festival—where kernels of tradition burst into celebration.
The festival’s origins trace back to the 1970s, when a group of community members came together with the goal of launching a local event. They chose popcorn to honor Marion’s deep agricultural and industrial ties to the snack.
For decades, popcorn has been grown and processed in Marion. The former Wyandot Popcorn—now Wyandot Snacks—is a global snack distributor, and both Cracker Jack and Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn were once produced locally. What began as a small-town celebration has grown into the largest popcorn festival in the world, widely considered to offer the most live and continuous entertainment of any non-music festival in Ohio.
This year’s event will feature hundreds of commercial, craft, and food vendors, offering a wide variety of options. Many will be showcased at the new Founder’s Park Family Zone, located at the corner of Main St. and Church St.
Beyond the booths, Founder’s Park Pavilion will host games with prizes on Friday from noon to 3 p.m., followed by a full lineup of local talent on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Music lovers will find plenty to enjoy at the Popping Party Stage in the beer garden on Center St., where regional bands including Old School, Cherry Blonde, Steam Town Road, Sneaky Pete and the Players, and Left of Center will perform throughout the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Community Showcase Stage, located near City Hall, will feature hometown performers from 11 a.m. to midnight, including dance academies, school bands, and a local group named One Number Off, among many others.
Mainstage entertainment begins nightly at 6 p.m. with local opening acts, followed by national headliners at 8:30 p.m. This year’s lineup includes Out of Eden, an Eagles tribute band on Thursday; country music singer and American Idol winner, Chayce Beckham, on Friday; and Quiet Riot, a classic 1980s hair band on Saturday.
Saturday’s schedule also includes a 5K run, cornhole tournament, pedal tractor pull for kids, and other family-friendly activities.
Festival advertising chair Paul James said the event wouldn’t be possible without the support of sponsors and volunteers. He encourages community members to come out, support the festival, and enjoy everything it has to offer.
“We try to cover every base to give festival goers a really good time for their entire family—if it’s rides you’re looking for, if it’s festival or fair food, if it’s live entertainment, a 5K, a craft show, or fine art show, we’ve got it all,” James said.
All information can be found on the festival website.
Whether you’re craving kettle corn, classic rock, or a weekend packed with community spirit, Marion’s streets will be popping all weekend long.