SWAMP FOX FESTIVAL

SWAMP FOX FESTIVAL
Celebrate Marion's heritage Sept. 14-16, 2012. A number of family-friendly events are scheduled, including a picnic in the park, live music, a craft fair, 5K run/walk, a family breakfast and a community parade. Check out the complete listing of events. You can also find us on Facebook.

Friday, Sept. 14
The Old Settlers Celebration
Lowe Park, 4500 10th Street
10:30 a.m. brunch, 11:30 a.m. program
Longtime Marion residents are encouraged to attend this traditional opening event of the Swamp Fox Festival. This year's program will feature Shannon Ramsey, founding president and CEO of Trees Forever. Senior citizen of the year will be recognized, as well as the oldest people present. Cost of the meal is $7. RSVP by Wednesday,  Sept. 12, by calling the Parks & Recreation Department, 377-4846, or e-mail v_hansen@msn.com.

Picnic in the Park
City Square Park, 7th Avenue and 10th Street
5:00 p.m.
Enjoy friends, neighbors, food and music on Friday night. Marion Noon Lions Club will serve up the meal, $7 for adults and $4 for children. 

Marion High School Band
City Square Park, 7th Avenue and 10th Street
5:15 – 5:45 p.m.
Don’t miss this showcase of local high school talent.

Funk-Stop
City Square Park, 7th Avenue and 10th Street
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
This popular band plays “rock and soul” music and promises to be a good time. Not only do they have a horn and rhythm section, the group includes several Marion residents.

Saturday, Sept. 15
Family Breakfast

Saturday, Sept. 15
Family Breakfast
City Square Park, 7th Avenue and 10th Street
7:00 - 9:45 a.m.
The Marion Metro Kiwanis Club will serve up breakfast starting at 7:00 a.m. The menu includes pancakes, omelets, sausage and beverages. Cost for the breakfast is $6 for the basic breakfast and $1 extra for an omelet.

5K Run/Walk
City Square Park, 7th Avenue and 10th Street
8:00 a.m.- sponsored by Farmers State Bank
Start the day off right running or walking through the fine city of Marion. The Cedar Valley Running Association (CVRA) organizes the event. Complete details, including registration forms and a course map are available at www.cvra.net/races/swamp-fox. The registration fee is $18 before Sept. 1, $20 before Sept. 8 and $25 up to the race morning.

[Registration and packet pick-up is at the caboose in City Square Park on Friday, Sept. 14 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. and  Saturday, Sept. 15 from 6:45-7:45 a.m.]

Craft Fair
Parking Lot east of City Square Park
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Some 15 to 20 vendors will be set up for your shopping enjoyment. Take advantage of the opportunity to pick up that unusual item for yourself or for your home.

Parade
Route: starts at Marion High School, goes north on 15th Street, turns west on 7th Avenue to City Square Park
10:15 a.m.- sponsored by Linn Cooperative Oil Co./Linn County REC
A signature event of the Swamp Fox Festival, this parade is one you won't want to miss. Entries are accepted until Aug. 31. To register, call the Marion Parks & Recreation Department at 377-4846. The entry fee is $20 for political or business entries. Non-profit groups can participate at no cost.

Activities in the Park
City Square Park, 7th Avenue and 10th Street
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The park will be populated with booths from non-profit organizations. Some will be selling a variety of food items and others will be sharing information. The Marion Police Department and the Marion Fire Department will offer on-site demonstrations, and the Cedar Valley Humane Society will give attendees the opportunity to meet some shelter animals.

History Trail – Women of Vision from Marion’s Past
Stop by the Historic Preservation Society booth to get your directions and map for this year’s History Trail. Follow the Trail and then take your completed questionnaire to the last stop, the Granger House, and collect your prize. There you can also enter to win the grand prize, which is on display at the Granger House.

Fun for the Kids
Various locations in and around City Square Park
11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Youngsters will be able to bounce until their heart's content in the Children’s Fun Zone, sponsored by Heritage Bank. $1 admission fee. Other entertainers will also be on hand. Mr. Greenie will be making balloon art for the kids. And young and old alike will watch in amazement as world-class juggler, Doug Sayers, does his thing.

Mainstage Entertainment
City Square Park  
Noon – 3:00 p.m.
Truckstop Souvenir, an entertaining folk and blues duo from Fairfield will perform from Noon – 2:00 p.m.
New York Dance Company, an Uptown Marion business will provide a dance demonstration from 2:15 - 3:00 p.m.

Waste Not - Want Not
Marion Heritage Center, 590 10th Street
Noon – 4:00 p.m.
A new exhibit will open at the Heritage Center in conjunction with the Swamp Fox Festival. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for youth age 5 to 18 and free to Marion Historical Society members.

Fire Safety Demonstration Burn
6th Avenue near City Square Park
3:00 p.m.
In-home sprinkler systems can save life and property within seconds of activation. The Marion Fire Department will show you how with this demonstration.

Dinner in the Park
City Square Park, 7th Avenue and 10th Street
5:00 p.m. - sponsored by Veridian Credit Union
Come back to the park with your lawn chairs and blankets for dinner from Huntington's and more musical entertainment.

Cedar Island Band
City Square Park, 7th Avenue and 10th Street
6:00 p.m. - sponsored by Veridian Credit Union
The always lively and entertaining Cedar Island Band will close out the night with their live "Buffett, island and tropical rock music."  
    
Sunday, Sept. 16
Indian Creek Canoe Float (weather permitting)
Starting at the Lucore Road Bridge
1:00 pm. 
Canoes will go in the water at the Lucore Road Bridge for a leisurely float down Indian Creek, getting out around Thomas Park. For more information about this event, contact Todd Steigerwaldt at tsteigerwaldt@cityofmarion.org.

We the People: 225 Years of the United States Constitution
Marion Heritage Center, 590 10th Street
1:30 p.m.
This lecture series and roundtable discussion are part of Iowa’s observance of the 225th anniversary of the United States Constitution. Historian David V. Wendell will serve as moderator with a panel of distinguished guests representing each branch of the state and federal government. Delegates include Iowa Governor Chet Culver, Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins, and Congressman David Loebsack. For more information, call (319) 447-6376.

Marion Arts Council Art Sale
Lowe Park, 4500 N 10th Street
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
A dozen booths will feature paintings, ceramics, carvings, jewelry, weaving and more.  Also the gallery will be open for viewing the new exhibit by the Cedar River Artisans.

Story Times with Darrin Crow
Lowe Park
1:00 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Always entertaining and engaging, Darrin Crow is a storyteller from Cedar Rapids whose roots go deep into Iowa cornfields and coal mines.

Juggling Workshops with Doug Sayers
Lowe Park
1:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Learn the basics of the art of juggling from one of the best, high-octane, world-class professional jugglers - Doug Sayers.

Learning Opportunities with Master Gardeners
In front of the Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center
Tours of the Gardens and Greenhouse
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy guided tours through the demonstration gardens of ISU Extension and Outreach Linn County Master Gardeners and greenhouse at Lowe Park.

Save your Seeds for Spring Workshop
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Learn the best way to harvest and store seeds for successful planting in the spring. Pre-registration is required by Sept. 13. To pre-register, call the Parks Department at 377-4846 or the Master Gardeners at 377-9839.

Tomato Tasting
3:30 p.m.
Give those taste buds a treat and try some of the different types of tomatoes that the Master Gardeners have been growing in the greenhouse.

Face Painting by Lizzy Dvorsky
Lowe Park
3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Painted faces are so much fun, especially when you see the talent of this local artist.

Music in the Gallery
Lowe Park
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Picnic in the Park
Lowe Park
5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Snacks will be available during the early afternoon and at 5:00 p.m. the Lions Club will start serving the Picnic in the Park. Price of the meal is $7 for adults and $4 for children.

Silver Wings
Lowe Park
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and kick back and enjoy the classic rock music brought to you by the popular group Silver Wings.

Fireworks Display
Lowe Park
Dusk - sponsored by Marion Hy-Vee, MidAmerican Energy, and Sheets, Forrest & Draper Insurance
For the first time in Swamp Fox Festival history, a fireworks display will light up the night sky. Prime viewing locations include theLowe Park Arts and Environment Center or Oak Ridge School.