the largest popcorn festival in the world
The Marion Popcorn Festival’s Recipe Contest will pop to the forefront once again in 2016. Judging will take place on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at the Marion Popcorn Festival.
This is a traditional cooking contest where the finished product must be edible and must contain popcorn. The recipes do not need to be original, but the original source must be listed. Judging will be based on the use of popcorn, flavor, creativity, and appropriateness to the food. [Read more…]
(l – r) 3rd Runner-Up Sydney Randall, 1st Runner-Up Hayley Stiverson, Miss Teen Popcorn 2016 Alexis Klaiber, 2nd Runner-Up Alexis Ritter, and 4th Runner-Up Sarah Perkins.
Alexis Klaiber captured the 2016 Miss Teen Popcorn title Saturday evening in festivities at River Valley High School.
“I thought I was going to cry,” said the newly crowned Klaiber. “Then I thought ‘I can’t believe I threw all this together in two weeks and I won!’” Klaiber continued, “I’m so looking forward to the parade, being on the main stage … wow, I can’t quite think right now.”
In her new capacity, Klaiber will be featured at all Festival activities, including the Festival’s Popcorn Parade and on the main stage. She will also make numerous appearances throughout Ohio during the coming year. [Read more…]
(l – r) Kernel Runner-Up Kareem Crabtree, Mr. Popcorn Kernel Oliver Schwartz, Mr. Popcorn 2016 Robb Koons, and Mr. Popcorn Junior Alex Thompson.
“Ecstatic,” said Robb Koons describing how he felt hearing his name called as the first ever Mr. Popcorn 2016 in competition Saturday afternoon at River Valley High School. “Just being the first … I’m honored … very honored,” Koons continued. “I was nervous at the start, but I am very excited to be able to represent Marion and the Marion Popcorn Festival as the first Mr. Popcorn.”
Koons also won the overall Formalwear Award. From Marion, Koons is married and works at Fifth-Third Bank.
As Mr. Popcorn, Koons will be featured at all Festival activities, including the Festival’s Popcorn Parade and on the main stage. He will also make numerous appearances throughout Ohio during the coming year. [Read more…]
(l – r) 3rd Runner-Up Ava Roseberry, 1st Runner-Up Paytn Smith, Miss Teeny Pop 2016 Abigail Bennett, , 2nd Runner-Up Melanie Lee, and 4th Runner-Up Braelyn Miller.
Abigail Bennett was chosen Miss Teeny Pop 2016 Saturday during competition at River Valley High School. Bennett also took Overall honors in Formalwear and Commercial, as well as her age division in Talent. The 12-year-old daughter of Don and Tracy Bennett of Caledonia is in the 7th grade at River Valley Middle School.
As Miss Teeny Pop, Bennett will be featured at all Festival activities, including the Festival’s Popcorn Parade and on the main stage. She will also make numerous appearances throughout Ohio during the coming year. [Read more…]
2016 Ms. Marion Popcorn Festival & Court (left to right): 3rd Runner-Up Jennifer DeGood, 1st Runner-Up Michelle Maynard, Ms. Marion Popcorn Festival 2016 Kim Bradshaw, 2nd Runner-Up Stacie Hines.
Kim Bradshaw of Marion was named Ms. Marion Popcorn Festival 2016 during popcorn royalty festivities Saturday evening, August 6, at River Valley High School. She won a cash award, a crown, banner and prize package.
“I was pretty surprised I won,” said Bradshaw … still a little speechless after the crowning. “It’s such a good feeling because I worked hard on this, really worked hard throughout the entire year. I will be so happy to represent Marion and locally and throughout the state.
“And I am really looking forward to all the Festival events, especially Kellie Pickler – I already have my red heels,” Bradshaw said referencing a hit song by Pickler entitled “Red High Heels”. [Read more…]
2016 Miss Marion Popcorn Festival & Court (left to right): 3rd Runner-Up Annslea Schaber, 1st Runner-Up Hannah Fuller, Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2016 Jayna Kubuske, 2nd Runner-Up Shannon Lyle, 4th Runner-Up Courtney Hamilton.
Jayna Kubuske captured the title of Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2016 Saturday evening, August 5, during competition at River Valley High School.
By winning the Miss Marion Popcorn Festival title, Kubuske earned a $1,000 scholarship, as well as the Festival crown, banner, and a prize package.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said an amazed Kubuske. “I couldn’t believe it when they said my name. I’m not from Marion, but the people here have been so welcoming, I feel like I’ve lived in Marion my whole life.” Kubuske continued, “A big thank you to all the popcorn people … they’ve been really great. I’m so looking forward to the Festival and getting to share the year with this great bunch of people.” [Read more…]
2016 Miss Wee Pop & Court (left to right): 3rd Runner-Up Lillian Oswald, 1st Runner-Up Kayann Nelson, Miss Wee Pop 2016 Savannah Guadarrama, and 2nd Runner-Up Addison Geiser.
From a field of 20 contestants, Savannah Guadarrama was named and Miss Wee Pop 2016 during competition held Saturday morning at River Valley High School.
Three-year old Guadarrama is the daughter of Shaylah Monnette and Allen Guadarrama of Marion. She also won her age division in Formalwear, as well as overall honors in Costume and Swimwear.
First Runner-Up to Miss Wee Pop is Kayann Nelson, the three-year-old daughter of Bobbie and Elisha Nelson of Marion. She won her age division in Costume and Swimwear.
Addison Geiser captured Second Runner-Up honors. The four-year-old is the daughter of Ryan and Amber Geiser of Hilliard, and also won her age division in Formalwear and Costumes. [Read more…]
2016 Miss Little Wee Pop and Court (left to right): 3rd Runner-Up Finnley Payne, 1st Runner-Up Mila Homan, Little Wee Pop Princess 2016 Kaysen Galbert, and 2nd Runner-Up Mackenna Culp.
Sixteen contestants vied for the title of Marion Popcorn Festival’s 2016 Little Wee Pop Princess at River Valley High School Saturday morning. The title was captured by 22-month-old Kaysen Galbert, the daughter of Thurman & Kirsten Galbert of Bucyrus. She also won overall honors in Formalwear and tied for her age division in Costume.
Receiving First Runner-Up was Mila Holman, the 9-month-old daughter of Nikole and Matt Holman of Marion. She also placed first in her age division in both Formalwear and Photogenic.
Second Runner-Up was Mackenna Culp. She place first in her age division in Costume and is the 10-month-old daughter of Airianna Culp of Marion. [Read more…]
The 36th annual Miss Marion Popcorn Scholarship Program will be held this Saturday, August 6, 2016 at River Valley High School. Also crowned that night will be Ms. Marion Popcorn Festival. The events will run simultaneously and begin at 7:00 p.m.
Seven will vie for the coveted Miss Marion Popcorn Festival title. Each must have graduated from high school, be single and be no older than age 24 years as of August 6, 2016. The applicants will compete in talent, interview, formal wear, popcorn wear (an outfit that salutes popcorn) and an onstage question.
Ms. Marion Popcorn Festival is open to ladies single or married, ages 25 or older. The six contestants in this group will be judged in formal wear, popcorn wear, interview, and an onstage question. [Read more…]
2nd runner up Hunter Boyce, Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2015 Elizabeth Corwin, 1st runner up Halle Augenstein, and 3rd runner up Ranissa Harrison.
The Marion Popcorn Festival will again be having a full slate of pageant opportunities for all age groups, newborn to 100 … or more. If you are interested in taking part in any of the pageants, there will be an informational meeting for parents and participants at bluefusion located in the Plaza Shopping Center on Route 95 East on Saturday, July 9, at 2:00 p.m.
New for 2016 are the Mr. Popcorn Pageants. Set for Saturday, August 13, 2:00 p.m. at River Valley High School, the pageant will be divided into age groups: 0 – 5; 6 – 12; 13 – senior in high school; and adult. There will be one winner for each age group, and contestants will be judged on formal wear and popcorn wear. The deadline to enter is July 30. For more information, contact Lori McGraw at 740.244.6710. [Read more…]
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