Popcorn Festival runsthrough Saturday in downtown Marion with headliner Black Stone Cherry

Andrew Carter, Marion Star
·2 min read

The 42nd Marion Popcorn Festival kicked off on Thursday evening with the annual parade setting the tone for the three-day festival.

Nearly 70 units representing festival royalty, Marion County schools, civic organizations, local colleges and universities, local first responders and law enforcement, Marion County social service agencies, businesses, area tourist attractions, and politicians participated in the annual parade along Center Street in Marion.

Mayor Scott Schertzer participated in his final Popcorn Parade as the city's top elected executive. He is not seeking reelection after serving nearly 16 years as mayor of Marion.

Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2023 Alysia Miller led a long line of royalty that participated in the annual Popcorn Parade on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, along East Center Street in downtown Marion. The festival wraps up on Saturday.
Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2023 Alysia Miller led a long line of royalty that participated in the annual Popcorn Parade on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, along East Center Street in downtown Marion. The festival wraps up on Saturday.

Black Stone Cherry headline act

The Marion Popcorn Festival wraps up tonight in downtown Marion. Southern rockers Black Stone Cherry will be the headline act on the main stage. Showtime is 8:30 p.m.

Formed in 2001 in Edmonton, Kentucky, Black Stone Cherry has recorded seven studio albums as well as two EPs. Their newest work "Screamin’ At The Sky" is scheduled to drop in September and is available now for pre-order.

Lifelong friends Chris Robertson, vocals/guitar; Ben Wells, guitar/vocals; and John Fred Young, drums; welcome new bass player Steve Jewell on his first studio recordings, having played with them since 2021.

Marion-based rockers Left of Center will be the opening act, taking the main stage at 6 p.m. The main stage is located at the corner of Prospect and Church streets in downtown Marion.

Entertainment will also be available to festival-goers all day Saturday on the Community Showcase Stage on West Center Street between Marion City Hall and the Marion County Building and on the Bold Word Stage in Founders Park, located at 164 S. Main St. in downtown Marion.

Admission to all musical entertainment at the Marion Popcorn Festival is free.

This young girl just wanted a hug from a Spider-Man cosplayer during the 42nd Marion Popcorn Festival Parade held Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, along East Center Street in Marion. The cosplayers were representing ThunderFury Comics located at the Marion Centre mall.
This young girl just wanted a hug from a Spider-Man cosplayer during the 42nd Marion Popcorn Festival Parade held Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, along East Center Street in Marion. The cosplayers were representing ThunderFury Comics located at the Marion Centre mall.

One last chance for the midway

Tickets for rides on the midway at the Marion Popcorn Festival must be purchased at the festival. Individual ride tickets cost $1.25 each. Twenty tickets are available for $20. Forty tickets are available for $40. Rides require between three and six tickets each. Wrist bands are available for $25.

The midway opens at 1 p.m. Saturday. Rides are open until the close of the festival.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: 42nd Marion Popcorn Festival runs Friday and Saturday in downtown