Festival brings 2,000+ to park

More than 500 people settled in for music Friday at Marion’s Chingawassa festival after they ate barbecue pork sandwiches and ice cream.

Sam Shilts Trio performed during the meal and ice cream social.

After the meal, visitors brought chairs and blankets to hear Steel Skarecrow and Dallas Pryor on the main stage.

Partway through Steel Skarecrow’s performance, a fast-approaching thunderstorm brought an abrupt end to Friday’s event, but Saturday’s weather was hot and sunny.

All told, more than 2,000 people attended the three-day festival, enjoying entertainment and buying irresistible items from vendors.

Kids’ activities included face painting, Cha-Chinga Scavenger Hunt, inflatables, mechanical bull riding, Dinky Duck races, Pick Your Luck, pictures with Pete the rhino, a rock/paper/scissors game, rhino-size Jenga, human battleship, Fortnite Emote battle, and a paper airplane contest.

Stan Unruh, Southall, and the Josh Abbot band entertained for a packed crowd Saturday night.