Old Fashioned Days is just around the corner, beginning Thursday, August 3rd, running through Sunday August 6th. The theme for this year’s celebration is “1903; 120 years of Old Fashioned Days”
“It’s 1903; that is the year that it changed from August 7th,” said Marion Chamber of Commerce President Sherry Jackson. “Old Fashioned Days used to be August 7th every year, it didn’t matter what day of the week it was, August 7th was the celebration. In 1903, they changed it to Old Fashioned Days, which makes it 120 years of Old Fashioned Days.”
This year’s celebration should prove to be one of the biggest and best, with tons of food, sporting events, games, and competitions for the whole family.
“There is a ton going on!” Jackson said. “This year we’re taking the parade from the high school to the elementary school. [For the last few years the parade has ended at M-66] So we’re going to have vendors on both sides of M-66.”
Some of the big events kicking off the weekend include Thursday’s Bump and Run/Half Ton Truck Derby at the Grandstands, followed by Friday’s Cornhole Tournament at the Veteran’s Park Ballfields, and Snoop’s Barbeque Competition near the Horseshoe Bar.
Saturday morning features the annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, the golf scramble, and the 19th Annual Car, Truck, Bike & Semi Show.
Saturday should be fun for the whole family, with the kids’ parade [9:30 AM] and the grand parade [10:30 AM] scheduled for the morning. The Chamber will have a booth, and offers t-shirts, along with buttons for prizes, a scavenger hunt, and the always enjoyable duck race.
“We’re bringing back buttons this year,” Jackson said. “You buy a button for five bucks, and there are businesses throughout town who are participating. If your number on the button matches one at the business, you win a prize. And the chamber has prizes also including a cooler filled with goodies and cornhole boards.”
The scavenger hunt will be for those 18 and under, and offers the chance to win some prizes.
“We started this [scavenger hunt] last year,” Jackson said. “There are pictures that are 1903 related, and they’ll be placed randomly around town. People will have a sheet, and as they’re walking around, they’ll write down the location of each picture. And we’ll put them all in a drawing for a winner. The pictures might be on a light post, they might be in a business window, randomly about town.”
One of the chamber’s big events for the weekend is the duck race. The race has grown every year recently, and featured over 2500 ducks last year. Tickets will go on sale at 5 PM on Friday, with the race taking place at 5 PM Saturday. The duck race will begin on the river behind the businesses on the north side of Main Street.
“They dump the ducks in the river there, and they float down to the campground and finish there, just this side of the walk bridge,” Jackson said. “Prizes will be $400, $300, and $200 for first through third place. Ducks are $1 a piece, or 6 for $5.”
With all the events, food, and fun taking place this weekend, Marion Old Fashioned Days 2023, “1903/120 Years” is sure to be one of the best celebrations yet.