The Marion Popcorn Festival, celebrating its 45th year as one of Ohio’s premier community festivals, today announced the full main stage entertainment lineup for its three-day run on Thursday, September 10, Friday, September 11, and Saturday, September 12, 2026, in downtown Marion, Ohio. This year’s lineup blends beloved local and regional acts with nationally touring headliners, delivering something for every music fan across the festival’s three nights.
“The Marion Popcorn Festival has always been about bringing the community together for great food, family fun, and unforgettable entertainment,” festival organizers said. “This year’s main stage lineup is one of our strongest yet, featuring incredible local talent alongside two nationally recognized headline acts.”
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 – SAFEKEPT, WHITESNAKED & INTO THE BLUE
The festival’s main stage entertainment kicks off Thursday evening with a pre-parade party featuring three high-energy acts leading into the festival’s signature parade weekend.
SafeKept, a 5-piece power-pop rock band from central Ohio, opens the night. Since forming in 2013, SafeKept has played more than 400 shows across a dozen states, building a dedicated following with its high-energy live show. The band has independently released two EPs – Remarkable (2015) and Modern Mortals (2018) – and is set to release a brand-new EP in 2026.
Just before 7:00 p.m., Whitesnaked keeps the party going. Whitesnaked is Ohio’s album-quality tribute to one of the greatest hard rock bands in music history, Whitesnake. The 6-piece band is made up of top-tier musicians who have toured and released albums worldwide, performing across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
At 8:30 p.m., ELO tribute act Into The Blue closes out opening night. Into The Blue is an 11-piece Electric Light Orchestra tribute band bringing ELO’s smash hits to life on the main stage.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 – STEAMTOWN ROAD & CASSADEE POPE
Friday’s main stage entertainment opens at 6:00 p.m. with Steamtown Road, warming up the crowd ahead of the night’s headline performance.
At 8:30 p.m., Cassadee Pope takes the main stage for the night’s headline show. Over the last 15 years, Cassadee Pope has been a lot of things to a lot of people: leader of seminal pop-punk band Hey Monday, Season 3 winner of The Voice, Platinum-selling artist (“Wasting All These Tears”), and GRAMMY-nominated country singer/songwriter (“Think of You,” a duet with Chris Young).
Now, Pope returns with a tremendous sense of freedom guiding her and a forthcoming album set to once again amplify her confessional writing and redefine her place as a pop-punk mainstay.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 – HARD DRIVE & QUEENSRÿCHE
The festival’s final night begins at 6:00 p.m. with local band Hard Drive taking the main stage.
At 8:30 p.m., legendary rock band Queensrÿche closes out the 45th Annual Marion Popcorn Festival. With 20 million albums sold worldwide and a career spanning multiple genres, Queensrÿche remains one of hard rock’s most influential acts, known for era-defining albums including Operation: Mindcrime and the multi-platinum Empire.
The band’s current lineup – Todd La Torre (vocals), Michael Wilton (guitar), Eddie Jackson (bass), Mike Stone (guitar), and Casey Grillo (drums) – continues to tour behind their 16th studio album, Digital Noise Alliance, blending the band’s classic sound with a forward-thinking approach that has defined Queensrÿche since 1982.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Thursday, September 10
SafeKept, Whitesnaked (before 7:00 p.m.), Into The Blue (8:30 p.m.)
Friday, September 11
Steamtown Road (6:00 p.m.), Cassadee Pope (8:30 p.m.)
Saturday, September 12
Hard Drive (6:00 p.m.), Queensrÿche (8:30 p.m.)
ABOUT THE MARION POPCORN FESTIVAL
Now celebrating its 45th year, the Marion Popcorn Festival is a beloved annual tradition in Marion, Ohio, drawing visitors from across the region for three days of live entertainment, food, family activities, and community celebration.
