Art in the Park is Sept. 20 years ago
The Art in the Park festival which attracts huge crowds, in the tens of thousands, each year to Marion is scheduled for Sept. 20.
The event is held on the third Saturday of September each year, under the shade of majestic trees in picturesque Central Park.
The arts/crafts event will begin at 9 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.
Artists from several states will participate by displaying their wares. Many will return from previous years. Favorite items include limestone and metal art, clothing, jewelry, pet items, horseshoe artwork, furniture, photography, food products such as jams, spices, and package mixes, soaps, candles, baskets, cedar flutes, bamboo pan pipes and whistles, engraved personalized covered cake pans, and automotive finish mail boxes.
New items this year will include the Country Cutter demonstration, puppet marionettes, unique primitive bird houses, three dimensional miniature constructions, hand weaving, walking sticks and canes, cane holders, and hall trees.
Baby sitting service will be offered by Marion High School students of forensics. They have planned activities to keep the children entertained from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The baby sitting service will be at the shelter house at the southeast corner of the park.
Live entertainment will be provided at the gazebo, featuring Steve Hanson and Company, a duet with Hanson on six- and 12-string guitars, banjo, harmonica, and vocals. Leslie Diener will be on bass, guitar, and vocals. Diener is the more tranquil part of the duo and is calm compared to Hanson's antics, expressions, and movement.
A large food court will provide a wide variety of good things to eat and drink — from funnel cakes to mock chicken legs.
You may register to win a $20 gift certificate from Marion Chamber of Commerce Art In The Park Committee. Ten of the certificates will be given away at 4 p.m. and may be used at any booth prior to closing of the show.
Parking will be provided with free shuttle bus service every 15 minutes from parking lots located at Marion Die and Fixture on West Main and at the baseball complex on Eisenhower Drive.
For more information, call the Marion Chamber of Commerce at 620-382-3425.
