LOCAL EVENTS
Marion 2020 Calendar of Events
Saturday, March 14 - St. Patrick's Day Downtown Pub Crawl – 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
For information contact Mica Town Brewing @ micatownbrewing@gmail.com
Saturday, April 18 – Marion Cruise-In - 5:00 PM – 9:00CPM
Tailgate Market, West Henderson Street. For information, contact Encore Events 828-652-9159
Saturday, May 2 – Sidewalk Yard Sale - 7:30 AM - 12:00 Noon
Main Street – 70 + Yard Sale Vendors. Spaces are $10.00 each & are by reservation.
Reserve your space beginning April 1. For reservations call 828-652-2215
Saturday, May 16 – 4th Annual Blue Ridge Rally for Recovery - 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Main Street. The Rally for Recovery celebrates love, hope, healing and support to recovering friends and family
and invites the entire community. Free shirts and free food as well as free inflatables for the kiddos.
For more information, contact Freedom Life Ministries 828-559-2224.
Saturday, May 23 – Memorial Day Car Show – 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Main Street. For information contact Encore Events 828-652-9159
Saturday, June 6 – 14th Annual Liver Mush Festival “It’s a Squeal” – 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Celebrate all things pig at the Marion Liver Mush Festival on Main Street in Downtown Marion.
Liver Mush is a regional delicacy and part of the heritage of Marion and McDowell County!
Join in the Pig Calling Contest. Or the Liver Mush Eating Contest!!! Inflatables and other activities for the kids!!
Visit with the craft vendors and sponsors. And what would a Liver Mush Festival be without the sounds of
great country music and rock classics by local country band – “Roadrunnerz”.
Free Liver Mush sandwiches from Hunter’s Liver Mush, the event sponsor.
For more information, 828-652-2215 or follow Liver Mush Festival on Facebook.
Saturday, June 20 – Brews, Blues and BBQs – 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
North Block and City Stage. For information, contact Samantha Andrews 828-460-9977
Saturday, June 20 – Marion Car Show - 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Wells Fargo. For information, contact Encore Events, 828-652-9159
Saturday, July 4 – Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks – 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Celebrate Independence Day in Downtown Marion. The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. A special spot is reserved at the beginning of the parade for “Anything That Rolls”. Grand Marshals are McDowell County veterans.
The street dance with “Gotcha Groove” begins at 7:00 PM. Fireworks at 9:45 PM.
For more information, 828-652-2215.
Saturday, July 18 - Marion Nite Cruise-In – 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tailgate Market, 67 West Henderson Street. For information, contact Encore Events 828-652-9159
Saturday, August 1 – Sidewalk Yard Sale - 7:30 AM - 12:00 Noon
Main Street – 70 + Yard Sale Vendors. Spaces are $10.00 each & are by reservation.
Reserve your space beginning July 9. For reservations call 828-652-2215
Tuesday, August 4 – National Night Out - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Hosted by the Marion Police Department, National Night Out features Main Street packed with emergency vehicles on display. A great opportunity to meet Marion’s finest and enjoy free food, music, face painting, and bouncy house for kids. For more information, contact Lt. Rusty Jenkins 828-652-5205.
Friday – Sunday, August 7-9 – 3rd Annual Micropolitan Film Festival
For information, contact McDowell Arts Council Association/MACA, 828-652-8610.
Saturday, August 15 – Marion Kids Cruise-In - 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tailgate Market, West Henderson Street. For information, contact Encore Events 828-652-9159
Saturday, August 22 – The Blue Ridge HoneyFest – 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
The Blue Ridge HoneyFest is a nonprofit event hosted by Kiwanis of McDowell County to raise awareness of the importance of the honeybee on crop pollination, to increase the consumption of honey, and to educate about the science and industry of beekeeping. For information, Facebook The Blue Ridge HoneyFest. 828-803-4125
Saturday, August 29 – Farm to Table Restaurant Round-up – 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
This annual event featuring local foods will be at the Marion Tailgate Market.
For ticket information contact Emily Roberts 828-460-7638 or ejroberts.103@gmail.com
Friday, September 18 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Saturday, September 19 – 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
3rd Annual WNC Bigfoot Festival
Celebrate all things Bigfoot in Downtown Marion. Visit with Marion’s Bigfoot Team to discuss local investigations and evidence. Nationally known experts will be attending. Family and kid friendly activities. Food will be available.
For more information Facebook 2020 WNC Bigfoot Festival or email: bigfoot911bobr@gmail.com.
Saturday, October 10 – 37th Annual Mountain Glory Festival - 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Arts & Crafts Street Festival with local entertainment, Main Street, Marion, North Carolina
Small Town Celebration of Fall and the Glory of the Mountains with 150 crafts and food vendors.
Children’s events, local entertainment and the Miss Mountain Glory Festival Pageant.
Enjoy the local breweries, taprooms and meadery.
For information - www.mtngloryfestival.com; info@mtngloryfestival.com; 828-652-2215 or 828-652-3551.
Saturday, October 17 - Boos & Brews 5k – 5:00 PM
For information, contact Chelsi Poteat 828-460-1879
Tuesday, October 27 – Fall Festival & Downtown Trick or Treat - 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Kids through 6th grade are invited to wear their costumes for Trick-or-Treating on Main Street.
Visit and shop with the Market vendors. For information, 828-652-2215.
Saturday, October 31 – Halloween Spooktacular Car Show - 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tailgate Market, 67 West Henderson Street. For information, contact Encore Events 828-652-9159
Saturday, October 31 - Haunted Halloween Downtown Pub Crawl – 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
For information contact Mica Town Brewing @ micatownbrewing@gmail.com
Saturday, November 7 – 4th Annual Día de Muertos - 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join families on Main Street to enjoy a community memorial display, traditional foods, pan de muerto,
live mariachi performance, crafts, and fun activities for all. For information 984-364-7413.
Sunday, November 22 – Marion Christmas Parade - 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Main Street, Downtown Marion. For information 828-652-2215
Saturday, November 28 – Shop Small Saturday
Craft vendors and direct sales at MEC. For more information, contact Nikki Pittman 828-803-9274.
December – Blue Ridge Artisans Craft Show – McDowell Arts Council Association (MACA)
Featuring the work of McDowell County artisans exhibiting pottery, woodworking, basketry, jewelry,
textile arts and other fine crafts. For information 828-652-8610.
Saturday, December 5 – 34th Annual Appalachian Potter’s Market - McDowell High School
For information, contact McDowell Arts Council Association/MACA 828-652-8610.
Friday, December 18 – Christmas Fest = Cash Drawing & Visit with Santa Claus –
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Kids can visit with Santa on Courthouse Lawn
Christmas Cash Drawing, 6:30 PM @ Courthouse Lawn = WINNING TICKET MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
Music by New Manna Youth Choir. Refreshments provided by City of Marion.
For more information, 828-652-2215.
Thursday, December 31 – 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration – 8:30 PM – Midnight – Main Street
Sponsored by Marion Rotary Club, Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Downtown. The event features a scavenger hunt, a costume contest, music for street dancing, the Resolution Run 5K, miniature train rides, a sparkler display after the midnight gold nugget drop, and beer and wine sales.
For further information, contact Lou Godfrey 828-652-2215 Bob Boyette 828-652-3551
14th Annual Historic Marion Tailgate Market, 67 West Henderson Street
Tuesdays, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, May – October
Fridays, 11:00 am – 3:00 PM, July - August
Winter Market Tuesdays, 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM, November – December
For information, contact Market Manager Lou Godfrey 828-652-2215
Free Live Music At The Historic Marion Depot
Every Thursday 7:00 PM – No admission
For updates and event information - 828-652-2215 or Facebook Marion Events