The First Marion Popcorn Festival was held in September of 1981. The Popcorn Festival was the idea of a number of local businessmen that worked with local city officials to organize the festival. It was the intent of the organizers to create a 3-day festival that would promote Marion and offer free, nationally-known headline entertainment. Popcorn was picked because Marion County in Ohio is one of the top growers of popcorn in the United States and Wyandot, Inc. is one of the largest exporters of popcorn in the World.
For festival-goers not in the mood for song and dance, a fine arts exhibit and sale, kiddie and adult pedal tractor pulls, a 5K run and fun walk, a Popcorn 100 Bike Tour, a corn toss tournament, a senior softball tourney at Garfield Park and a raffle drawing provide a variety of options. The raffle offers a chance at VIP packages for the Craig Morgan and Night Ranger concerts, which include two Kernel Seats, drink tickets, meals, autographed photo, and meet-and-greet passes. Tickets for the raffle, and a 50/50 drawing, will be available at Center and Prospect streets.
The Marion Popcorn Festival is held each year on the weekend following Labor Day. The festival is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00am to midnight.
According to popcornfestival.com; marionstar.com. Source of photo: internet
