Marion
Around Marion
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Town and around · Ohio · 64k people
Marion
“Popcorn Capital of the World”
Where history pops and kernels fly.
AmberRed
Welcome to Marion, Ohio – the Popcorn Capital of the World! Whether you're here for the festival, the trail, or the small-town charm, you'll find a friendly community that loves its history and its snacks. Grab a pork tenderloin, say hi to a neighbor, and enjoy the pace of life along the Scioto.
Clubs for Marion
No clubs for Marion yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Marion. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Marion. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Harding Home Restored home of President Warren G. Harding, now a museum.
- Harding Memorial Large circular monument and burial site of President and Mrs. Harding.
- Marion Palace Theatre Historic 1928 theater hosting films, concerts, and community events.
- Marion County Fairgrounds Site of the annual county fair and other gatherings.
- Scioto River Flows through town; popular for fishing, kayaking, and riverside walks.
- Marion County Courthouse Historic courthouse in the center of downtown Marion.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the Marion Tallgrass Trail
- Outdoors Fish or kayak on the Scioto River
- With kids Attend the Marion Popcorn Festival
- With kids Visit the Harding Home and Memorial
- Evenings Catch a show at the Palace Theatre
- Evenings Attend a high school football game
- Locals love Popcorn shops and stands
- Locals love Small-town diners
Through the year
- Marion Popcorn Festival September Held in September, celebrating Marion as the Popcorn Capital of the World with food, music, and a parade.
- Marion County Fair July Week-long county fair with livestock, rides, and grandstand shows.
- Marion Arts Festival June Local artists and craftspeople showcase work downtown in early summer.
- Palace Theatre Summer Concert Series Summer Live music and performances at the historic theater throughout summer.
- Marion Cemetery Walk October Historical reenactments at the cemetery, usually in October.
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons – cold winters, warm summers, and pleasant transitions. The best times to be out are May–June and September–October. Best: Spring and early fall are ideal for outdoor activities – mild temps and low humidity.
Talk like a local
- “Popcorn Fest”
- The annual Marion Popcorn Festival, a local institution.
Getaways
- Columbus Big-city museums, zoo, and dining, an hour's drive south.
- Mansfield Visit the Ohio State Reformatory (of Shawshank fame) and Kingwood Center Gardens.
- Bucyrus Known as the Bratwurst Capital, with a summer festival and charming downtown.
- Mount Vernon Scenic Kokosing Gap Trail and Ariel-Foundation Park.
Local flavour
Rooting for Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), Columbus Crew (MLS), Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Popcorn Local specialty, celebrated at the Marion Popcorn Festival
- Pork tenderloin sandwich Ohio staple, common in local diners
- Apple butter A fall staple from local orchards, often sold at farmers markets.
Where people go
- Harding Home Presidential site of Warren G. Harding
- Marion Palace Theatre Historic theater
- Scioto River River running through the area
- Marion County Fairgrounds Hosts the Popcorn Festival
Heritage and traditions
Marion is proud of its presidential history with Warren G. Harding, its popcorn heritage celebrated at the annual Popcorn Festival, and its strong small-town community spirit.
This time of year in Marion
- Apple butter making Fall Fall gatherings where locals stir apple butter in large kettles.
- Marion County Historical Society Heritage Day Fall Open house at Heritage Hall with local history exhibits, crafts, and activities.
Say it like a local: “Harding” — Refers to President Warren G. Harding, a local icon.
Festivals
- Harding Home Christmas December Historic house decorated for the holidays, offering tours and a glimpse into early 20th-century life.
- Marion County Historical Society Heritage Day Fall Open house at Heritage Hall with local history exhibits, crafts, and activities.
- Marion's Fourth of July Celebration July Fireworks and family festivities at Lincoln Park.
- Marion Symphony Orchestra Concert Season Year-round Classical performances held throughout the year at local venues.
- Marion Community Theater Productions Year-round Local theater group staging plays and musicals at various venues.
Landmarks with a story
- Wyandot Popcorn Museum Dedicated to the history of popcorn and the Wyandot Popcorn Company, with vintage poppers and memorabilia.
- Heritage Hall Housed in a former county jail, this museum showcases local history, including artifacts from the Harding era.
- St. Mary's Catholic Church Historic parish with stained-glass windows and a prominent presence in downtown Marion.
- Marion Cemetery Final resting place of many early settlers and notable figures, with a historic chapel and annual cemetery walks.
Food traditions
- Popcorn balls A sweet, gooey treat made and shared during the Marion Popcorn Festival, celebrating the area's popcorn heritage.
- Apple butter Slow-cooked in copper kettles at autumn gatherings, a sweet spread for biscuits and bread.
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet on a bun, a Midwest diner classic and fair favorite.
- Sweet corn In summer, local farm stands sell fresh sweet corn, often boiled or grilled for backyard cookouts.
- Buckeyes Peanut butter and chocolate confections, a statewide favorite, especially during holidays.
Music and arts
- Palace Theatre Historic vaudeville-era theatre hosting concerts, plays, and films.
- Marion Symphony Orchestra Local orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Marion Community Theater Amateur theater group staging a variety of productions.
- Marion Arts Festival Annual showcase of local visual and performing arts.
A little history
- 1822 Marion founded as a small settlement.
- 1884 Marion Steam Shovel Company established, later building equipment used in the Panama Canal.
- 1920 Warren G. Harding elected President, the first from Marion.
- 1923 Harding dies in office; his memorial is later built in Marion.
- 1936 Wyandot Popcorn Company founded, becoming a major popcorn producer.
Rivalries
- Marion Harding vs. River Valley football Local high school rivalry that draws big crowds each fall.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Marion County Fair demolition derby
- Outdoors Birdwatching at the Tallgrass Trail
- Outdoors Fishing in the Scioto River
Locals speak with a typical Midwestern accent, using phrases like 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for a group. The tone is friendly and unhurried, with a touch of small-town politeness.
Only here
- The Marion Popcorn Festival, one of the largest popcorn celebrations in the country.
- The Wyandot Popcorn Museum, dedicated entirely to popcorn history.
- The Harding Memorial, a grand monument to President Warren G. Harding.
- The legacy of the Marion Steam Shovel Company, which built massive earth-moving machines.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Marion as 'MARE-ee-un' – locals will appreciate it.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich at a local diner – it's a Midwest staple.
- Don't miss the Marion Popcorn Festival in September; it's the town's biggest celebration.
- Be prepared for cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers.
- Explore the Marion Tallgrass Trail for a scenic walk or bike ride.
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Part of Columbus area
Nearby
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Marion, OH. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.