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Marion’s annual community celebration is 30 & Thriving! Make plans now to attend the 30th annual Swamp Fox Festival in Marion Sept. 27-29, 2019. On Friday, make your way to the Klopfenstein Amphitheater for the Performing Arts at Lowe Park and enjoy magician comedian Ben Ulin. Adventureland has featured Ulin’s comedy illusion show since 1988, one of the longest-running amusement park magic shows in history. With over 30 years’ experience making audiences cry with laughter, this is one you won’t want to miss! On Saturday, a variety of events will take place in and around City Square Park including a 10k/5k and kids 1-mile race, a pancake breakfast, the Swamp Fox parade and a steel drum band performance in the Uptown Artway. A grass volleyball tournament is also planned for the Lowe Park Sports Complex. The festival is proud to again coincide with the Fall Marion Market in City Square Park, coordinated by the Marion Chamber of Commerce. The market features more than 50 vendors with seasonal produce, artisan items and food options along with Papa Balloon, Facepainting by Lindsay and live music by Josh Payne. Saturday afternoon the fun moves to Lowe Park for more food, live music and various family activities including BINGO, life-size games and garden events. The evening entertainment will be provided by Chicago’s own Spazmatics. Dinner will be served by Firehouse Concessions, Zio Johno’s, Kettel House Bakery, Allen’s Apple Orchard and more. The grand fireworks finale will take place at 8:30 p.m. On Sunday, check out a variety of classic cars on display at the Classic Car Show & Shine at Thomas Park hosted by the Cedar Rapids Corvette Club. Visit www.cityfomarion.org/swampfox for the full line-up of events and make plans now to take part in this community celebration, sponsored in part by iHeartMEDIA. Participate! 10K, 5K & Little Fox Mile The Swamp Fox Festival 10K/5K and Little Fox Mile races are set for Sept. 29 at 7:30 a.m. lining-up on 5th Avenue between Marion City Hall and Vernon Middle School. Prizes awarded to the first overall male and female finishers. Active or former military service men and women receive a discount. Race shirts are provided for those who pre-register. Late registration does not guarantee a shirt. Find course maps and online registration at www.corridorrunning.com. Parade The Swamp Fox Festival Parade, sponsored by Linn County REC, Marion Hy-Vee and Marion Hy-Vee Drugstore, is a Marion tradition. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. This year’s theme is “30 & Thriving,” honoring the 30-year tradition of the festival and its celebration of Marion’s heritage. Floats are encouraged. Registration forms and full details can be found at www.cityofmarion.org/swampfox or at the Parks and Recreation offices at Lowe or Thomas Parks. Cash prizes will be awarded in a number of categories. The parade is limited to 150 entries and the registration deadline is Sept. 13. Registrations will not be accepted the day of the parade. Volleyball Tournament Bump, set and spike your way into the Swamp Fox Festival’s first-ever Grass Volleyball Tournament. The tournament will begin at 11 a.m. on Sept. 28 and take place at the Lowe Park Sports Complex, accessible from 4901 Alburnett Road. It is open to 4 person or 6 person teams. Free shirts for all participants and cash prizes awarded to the top finishers. Advance registration required by Friday, Sept. 13. Learn more at www.cityofmarion.org/swampfox. Make plans now to join in Marion’s 30th annual Swamp Fox Festival.