Marion Ohio Downtown

DOWNTOWN NEWS

FRIDAY AUGUST 24th,2012

We had 13 vendors last week at the Downtown Marion Market with peaches, corn, tomatoes, pumpkin bread, pies, noodles, honey, quilts, scent tarts, hair clips, and much more. This week, I believe we'll have at least two or three new vendors with some additional baked goods, possibly some concert statues, Amish rugs, and I think Mark is bringing some mums.

Markets will run from 4 - 7 p.m. every Friday through October 12 (except for Marion Popcorn Festival weekend) . Vendors will be located on the Center Street sidewalks beginning at Main, and then flow west down Center Street. By setting up on the sidewalks, we create an open market atmosphere with nearby parking.

Many of the Downtown businesses are open until 6 p.m., including Crown Tower, Just for Kidz, The Guild, Studio Montage, Present & Past Home Decor, and Downtown Barbershop. Others who normally close at 5 are staying open a little later on Fridays.

Why cook on Friday when there are so many excellent choices Downtown? Open Fridays until about 6 p.m., I know The Candy Shack & Cafe' (inside Charleston Place) has been doing a lot of takeout (and they deliver to vendors) ... and they also have Riverside Ice Cream if you'd like to munch on a cone while browsing. Baires on South Main opens at 5 p.m. with outside as well as inside seating ... great food with an Argentinian flair ... be sure to at least grab some of her homemade chips to munch on. Also opening at 5 p.m. are Infinity in the historic Harding Hotel and the Warehouse located in the former inter urban railway building on West Center ... both excellent, excellent dinner choices that wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

If you are interested in becoming a vendor of the Downtown Marion Market with anything handmade, homemade or homegrown, please contact either myself (382.2181 or Cindy at 361.2940).

Cash Mob next Thursday, August 30 ... meet in the city parking lot about 5:15 - 5:30. I'll get you more on that next week, but mark your calendars now.

The Marion County Historical Society is sponsoring a prairie tour this Sunday, August 26, of the Trella Romine Prairie Preserve near Green Camp. It will start at 1:00 P.M and continue until approximately 3 p.m.

The Trella Romine Prairie Preserve is also a mile-long strip along the abandoned Erie/Dayton Railroad right-of-way near corner of State Routes 203 and 739 (southwest area of Marion County). This area contains about two acres and over 80 native species of prairie plants. Attendees will meet near the Blockhouse marker on 203. In August, the prairie is close to full maturity, and when encountering a prairie for the first time, you can hardly believe your eyes at the abundance of movement, color, birds and butterflies. The tour can be driven or walked.

Remember this weekend at the Palace (Sunday, August 26, 3:00 p.m.) is Ice Cream Sunday: Gaither-Style. A Gospel, praise and worship concert and sing-a-long featuring vocalists and musicians from Marion and neighboring counties and directed by Ryan J Ratliff. The music is in the style of traditional hymns, praise and contemporary worship, and of course, The Gaithers. Ice Cream Social Following in the May Pavilion--first scoop included in the price of admission... which is $15!

Where you eat, shop and play matters ... do it locally!

Karen

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Karen Herr

Manager, Downtown Marion, Inc.

205 West Center Street, Suite 130

Marion, OH 43302

740.382.2181