MARION — The 17th annual FoxTrot Festival, which usually brings about 15,000 to 20,000 visitors to Main Street Marion, is set for Friday and Saturday, rain or shine.
From the Friday night movie and fireworks to the Saturday morning parade, pony rides, classic car show and more, the festival has been a year in the making. Planning for the 2009 festival began almost immediately following the 2008 event, said Chuck Wiegert, co-chairman of the FoxTrot Committee.
Organizing the event, getting vendors, craftsman and artisans to participate begins at one year’s event when they typically go ahead and book for the next, Wiegert said. Karen Grice is the co-chairwoman of the committee that oversees the annual parade.
On Friday, a movie will be shown outdoors and a professional fireworks display will be presented on Fox Field, with gates opening at 6 p.m. Gate fee is $2 per person. The movie, “The Tale of Despereaux,” will start at dusk. The fireworks will be presented after the movie.
Vendors will begin setting up at 9 a.m. Saturday and the FoxTrot Festival parade will begin at 10 a.m. Downtown businesses will be open, the library has planned a book sale and the day’s finale, a dance, will begin at 7 p.m. on Fox Field.
Gate fee for the dance is also $2 per person, with concessions on sale, too. Terrence Lonon & the Untouchables are the headliners. No coolers please, Wiegert said, but bring a lounge chair and blanket and dancing shoes.
Stage entertainment on Main Street begins at noon and will feature local and regional talent, provided, in 30-minute sets, by the following: Emmalyn Davis Dance School, The Shireeys, The Little Temptations, Brandon, Justin, Shannon, Justine Roberts Dance School, Delta Gens, Marion Mass Choir, Willie D, Keepers of the Dream and Barbara Sellers.
The Marion FoxTrot Festival was organized in 1991 as a nonprofit organization with the goal of promoting the city of Marion and Marion County history. The city of Marion, Marion County and private benefactors fund the festival, with the city of Marion acting as its fiscal agent.
The festival’s board of directors consists of volunteers from throughout the county who join forces to take care of the myriad tasks needed to pull together the festival. Many of the day’s events begin near the city’s Courthouse Square.
If you’re going
What: Marion FoxTrot Festival
When: Friday events begin at 6 p.m., Saturday events begin at 10 a.m.
Where: Fox Field and Marion Courthouse Square
Cost: $2 each for the movie and dance
Info: Call (843) 423-9918
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