Marion Popcorn Festival

the largest popcorn festival in the world

First Weekend after Labor Day

September 6, 7, & 8, 2018

  • Home
  • Visiting the Festival
    • Rides & Ticket Information
    • Maps & Directions
    • Senior Stop
    • Wine Garden and Craft Beer
  • News & Events
    • News
    • What’s Poppin’ Newsletters
    • Calendar of Events
    • Main Stage Entertainment
    • Community Showcase Stage
    • Poppin Party Stage
    • Home Town Talent Stage
    • Popcorn Parade
    • Popcorn Festival Pageants
      • Miss Marion Popcorn
      • Ms. Marion Popcorn
      • Mr. Marion Popcorn
      • Miss Teen Popcorn
      • Miss Teeny Pop
      • Little Wee Pop Pageant
      • Wee Pop Pageant
    • Popcorn 5k
  • Get Involved
    • Sponsors
  • Vendor Info
    • Craft, Community, & Commercial Vendors
    • Concession Vendors
  • About the Festival
    • Maps & Directions
    • Entertainment History
    • Sponsors
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / About the Marion Popcorn Festival

About the Marion Popcorn Festival

The Marion Popcorn Festival is one of Ohio’s premier festival events, named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association.

Located in downtown Marion, Ohio, it is the largest popcorn festival in the world annually attracting crowds in excess of 250,000.

For safety and liability reasons,  pets are not permitted on the festival grounds.

Marion Popcorn Festival Dates, Times, Location

The Marion Popcorn Festival is held each year the weekend following Labor Day. The festival is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00am to midnight.

The festival takes place in the heart of downtown Marion. Click here to find maps of the festival grounds and directions on getting here.

Marion Popcorn Festival History

The First Marion Popcorn Festival was held in September of 1981. The Popcorn Festival was the idea of a number of local business men that worked with local city officials to organize the festival. It was the intent of the organizers to create a 3-day festival that would promote Marion and offer free, nationally-known headline entertainment.  Popcorn was picked because Marion County in Ohio is one of the top growers of popcorn in the United States and Wyandot, Inc. is one of the largest exporters of popcorn in the World.

You can find a history of the main stage entertainment by clicking here.

Marion Popcorn Festival Leadership

The Marion Popcorn Festival is an all volunteer organization led by a Board of Directors.

2017 – 2018 Festival Officials
President – Robert Baer
1st Vice President – Linda Candel
2nd Vice President – Mike Huffman
Secretary – Tammy Kelly
Treasurer – Tom White
Ex-Officio – Sue Griffiths

Director- Robb Koons
Assistant Director- Cyndie Jackson

There is also a 21-member board of trustees.

2019 Term
Paul Bickleman
Daniel Bradshaw
Mike Huffman
Tammy Kelly
Robb Koons
Joyce Martin
Marble Miller
2018 Term
Sue Griffiths
Lynn Jamison
Dennis Logan
Lori McGraw
Nathan Riddle
Thomas White
Christine Williams
2017 Term
Robert Baer
Linda Candel
Dean Castanien
Karen Herr
Cheryl Huffman
Cyndie Jackson
Tracy Snare

The permanent Advisory Board is comprised of:

Kathy Brinkman
Norma Castanien
Rex Coldwell
Tom Danner
Marge Ferriman
Phyllis Hendrix
Pat Logan
Muggs McGinnis
Devin Needles
Mike Nicolosi
Karen Schafer
Darl Snyder

In memory: Al Brinkman, Pat Regules and Mary Dutton

Latest News

Thank You for a Great 2017 Festival

Entries for Popcorn Festival Recipe Contest Due by Sept. 4

Savage Anarchy Wrestling hits the Community Showcase Stage Sept. 7

Wallace Crowned 2017 Miss Marion Popcorn Festival

Maynard named 2017 Ms. Marion Popcorn Festival

Click Here for More News

Marion Popcorn Festival Sponsors

City of MarionMennel PopcornOhioHealth MarionDelmar DistributingMcDonald'sThiel's WheelsSilverLine WindowsFirstEnergyWyandot Inc.bluefusion entertainmentPOET BiorefiningAAA OhioSims BrothersUnited Church HomesMarion Area Convention & Visitors BureauLobo Awards & GraphixFahey BankThe Union Bank CompanyPrecision AutoAaron'sNetwork Global LogisticsCummins Facility ServicesAll About StoragePeacock WaterTerri's Photography StudioTakes Two StudioNeighborhood Image

Click here to view all of our financial supporters and learn more about being a sponsor!

Copyright © 2018 · PopcornFestival.com - Powered by Neighborhood Image