Full Notification

MARION ANNOUNCES SPECTACULAR LINEUP OF EVENTS FOR FALL/WINTER

From scarecrows to Santa Claus, German brats to Halloween treats, marching bands and Handel’s “Messiah” to Branson to a New Year’s ball, Marion Virginia has a full schedule of exciting activities and events. “We’re pleased to partner with several community organizations to offer such a huge menu of things to do,” said Ken Heath, director of community and economic development for the town. “Most events are free to the public, and they offer such a variety of fun, food, and music with events for the entire family.”

Additional information on any of the events is available by calling Heath at (276) 783-4190 or emailing kheath@marionva.org. You may follow Marion’s events and activities via the town website, www.marionva.org, by “friending” them on Facebook, following them on Twitter and Pinterest, and by subscribing to the free community alert system at www.nixle.com/marionvirginia.

Marion Events

1) OCTOBER 12 – 16 “Scarecrow Alley”, sponsored by Girl Scout Troop #396 and Marion Downtown. Main Street will come to life with scarecrows for this new event! Brynnan Jennings, Taylor Lee Thompson, and Olivia Vanhoy are spearheading this community showcase, as local businesses and organizations come together to decorate scarecrows , placing them throughout Marion’s historic downtown district for four days to welcome in the harvest season. Nearly twenty groups are participating, and the event is sure to create excitement as locals and visitors alike walk Main Street to see the scarecrows.

2) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 2 & 7pm “Branson on the Road” at the Historic Lincoln Theatre
Branson is coming to Marion! Branson On The Road®, the official traveling ambassadors for Branson, Missouri, are coming to The Lincoln Theatre with a show full of music, laughs, and fun for everyone. Country, gospel, bluegrass, rockabilly, family friendly comedy, rhinestone costumes, hand clappin', toe tappin', and did we mention it's going to be one of the finest shows you've ever seen anywhere? Featuring your hosts Debbie Horton (the only woman to play lead guitar for Johnny Cash), Donnie Wright and Brian Capps - stars of RFD-TV's "Midwest Country" and seen in over 100 million homes. If you've never been to Branson - this is your chance to experience Branson in Marion, and if you have been, well, this time we're bringing the show to you! Get your tickets early as these shows are sure to sell out. Call (276) 783-6092 or visit their website www.thelincoln.org.

3) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 11am – 2pm “Halloween Madness” at the Marion Farmers Market. This annual tradition brings hundreds of kids and their families to downtown to “trick or treat”. All children 12 and under accompanied by an adult are welcome, as participating merchants (with the orange and black balloons out front) will be handing out goodies. And again this year, local businesses, churches, and organizations will be giving out more goodies at the Marion Farmers Market with the “trunk or treat” event. SCALE will provide kids games along the Iron Street Mall, and the Blue Ridge Job Corps will provide free hot dogs while supplies last. HALLOWEEN WILL BE OBSERVED TOWNWIDE ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31.

4) SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 First Ever “Messiah Singalong” at the historic Lincoln Theatre. Here’s your chance to take part in a performance of Handel’s great oratorio, “Messiah.” The Lincoln Theatre and Marion First United Methodist Church are presenting the community’s first annual “Messiah: Sing-Along.” You will be rehearsing and performing the Christmas portion of this great work — all in one afternoon. The flash rehearsal will begin at 3:00 p.m. and conclude 4:30 p.m. Participants should arrive at The Lincoln Theatre between 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. to register. Please bring a copy of the score. If you don’t have a copy, full scores will be available for purchase. The performance, with soloists, will begin at 5:00 p.m. This is a free event, but tickets must be reserved through The Lincoln Theatre box office. An offering will be taken to support First United Methodist Church’s Food Pantry — a great cause to help those in need. For more information, please contact Bryan Underwood at Marion First United Methodist Church at (276) 783-5194.

5) NOVEMBER 16 – 18 Marion Christmas Market at the Farmers Market. It’s the official kickoff to the holiday season here in Marion! The German Club, Morning and Noon Rotary Clubs, and Marion Downtown partner to bring a weekend full of crafts, gifts, food, music, and fun the weekend before Thanksgiving. This is the fourth year for the popular Christmas Market, and dozens of crafters, bakers, and gift makers will fill the Pavilion all weekend long. The Smyth County Museum will again host the Community Christmas Tree display and contest during Christmas market hours, and even Santa will be at the museum for photos with the kids on Saturday from 10 til 2 and 2 til 4. This year, the Lincoln Theatre is hosting Nashville’s own Erica Lane for her “Romance of Christmas” concert tour on Saturday night at 7, and Erica will perform a free preview at the Market on Friday night from 6 til 8 as well. The German Club will again provide German food and beverage concessions, commemorative gluhwein mugs, fire pits, and a biergarten at the festival each afternoon and evening. The Grand Parade is Sunday at 3pm along Main Street.

6) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 7:00pm James Rogers and the Lincoln Theatre Children’s Chorus, LIVE at the Historic Lincoln Theatre. Singer, songwriter, musician and longtime Dollywood performer James Rogers brings his brand of warm Americana to The Lincoln Theatre, accompanied by The Lincoln Theatre Children’s Chorus. 7:00pm, tickets $15. Call (276) 783-6092 or order at www.thelincoln.org.

7) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 7:00pm “Song of the Mountains” LIVE, featuring Seldom Scene, Redhead Express, Wolfe Brothers, and Jeff Brown & Still Lonesome, at the historic Lincoln Theatre. Tickets $25. Call (276) 783-6092.

8) NEW YEAR’S EVE The General Francis Marion Hotel will again host their annual New Year’s Eve Ball, with “Ken Heath’s Bow Tie Pro Music and Sound” providing dancing music from 9 until midnight. “Bow Tie” was voted “Best of Virginia 2012” by Virginia Living Magazine, and entertains with a mix to delight all audiences. The General Francis Marion Hotel is offering special overnight packages, dinner packages, and New Year’s Ball packages – call (276) 783-4800 for details, or visit their website at www.gfmhotel.com.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THESE OR OTHER EVENTS, OR FOR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN MARION, CONTACT KEN HEATH AT (276) 783-4190 or EMAIL KHEATH@MARIONVA.ORG