MARION — In 2024, Marion’s Annual Town Party was cancelled just four days before the event due to an outbreak of two mosquito-borne diseases, West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, also known as Triple E.

This year, the event is back and better than ever. Adjustments were made to ensure the success of the 2025 party, including moving the event a month earlier to avoid peak mosquito season.

“We typically do it to celebrate the end of summer but we moved it to July to try to avoid a Triple E cancellation again. It’s kind of a midsummer celebration,” said Donna Hemphill, party organizer and executive assistant to the town administrator.

Nestled against the shores of Silvershell Beach, the 2025 annual town party featured a free rock climbing wall provided by the New Bedford-based climbing gym Carabiner’s Climbing & Fitness, face painting, music, dancing and a bar.

A games section offered free inflatable axe throwing, skee ball, football, soccer, baseball and cornhole boards.

Marion Firefighters grilled burgers, hotdogs and scallops. Samantha McCart of Marion volunteered at the town party’s Cub Scouts booth with her eight-year-old son Gavin, where they popped, bagged and served free popcorn to attendees.

 “I like that it brings everybody together, and we get to have some fun, interact and socialize,” she said of the party.

“This would not happen without the sponsors or the volunteers,” said Hemphill, stating that Tabor Academy, Abington Bank and Burr Brothers were this year’s platinum sponsors.

Marion residents Ashley and Michael Correia brought their 7-year-old daughter Zoey to the party to enjoy the festivities and see Vinny “Mr. Vinny the Bubble Guy” Lovegrove’s bubbles.

“It was a last minute decision [to come to the party], but we saw it on Facebook.We have a 7-year-old so we figured it’d be a good time for her,” said Michael.

Ashley said her favorite part was the bubbles and Michael said he enjoyed the free watermelon.

Marion resident Brittany Crawford described the event as “awesome.” She attended with her four-year-old daughter Cameron specifically to see Mr. Vinny’s bubbles.

“We see him at the zoo and so we knew the bubbles were gonna be here,” said Crawford.

Hemphill emphasized that the party is meant to “just bring everybody together and celebrate Marion.”

“You can’t get [a] better small town [celebration] than this,” she said.