Marion Block Party returns!

Georgia Sparling
Aug 26, 2012
Volunteers were ready to have a good time at the Block Party and their shirts said it all. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
A harmonizing duo, Sarah Martin and Scott Bissonnette covered classics and new tunes on the Block Party stage. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Tom Shriver handed out cotton candy to kids and adults alike. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Amelia Earnshaw and Ty MacKenzie enjoyed the blowup water slide on the warm Saturday afternoon. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
The Block Party was definitely a relaxed affair — shoes optional. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Olivia Carpenter, 5, was an expert at catching rubber duckies in the kid's tent. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Barry McGrath, left, explains the mechanics of a Ford Model 666 to his son Carson. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Mary Barry, left, and Ellen Grant listened to music and observed the activities from the picnic tables. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Debbie Gonsalves, left, and Terri Santos sold donated baked goods to help support the event. BY GEORGIA SPARLING

After a one-year hiatus, the Marion Block Party was back in action this weekend.

Volunteer Michele Bissonnette said, "The Block Party has existed in one capacity or another since 1880." Since then the name has changed a number of times, including Marigold Days, and has been organized by different groups in town.

After the VFW stepped back from organizing the event in 2011, Bissonnette said, "The young people needed to step up and the younger people did."

Marion Recreation Director Jody Dickerson with Scott Shippey headed up the event with a group of volunteers who wore neon green shirts that read "What happens in Marion stays in Marion."

The event started at 1 p.m. on Saturday and ended after dark, with events that ranged from a water slide to entertainment by local musicians.

To see pictures from the event, see our photo gallery!

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