Soakin’ in the sun at Marion’s annual town party
Residents soaked up the sun at the annual Marion Town Party on Saturday, July 25. Photos by Mari Huglin 
Furry friends joined in on the fun. 
Residents and friends played cornhole. 
Food and drinks could be bought at the event. 
One boy gets ready to climb the rock wall. 
The fire department mans the grill. 
Flashback, a local band, played at the event. 
A boy plays with a bean bag. 
Friends enjoyed eachothers company. 
Carabiners in New Bedford brought its rock climbing wall. 
A family throws bean bags together.
Residents soaked up the sun at the annual Marion Town Party on Saturday, July 25. Photos by Mari Huglin
Furry friends joined in on the fun.
Residents and friends played cornhole.
Food and drinks could be bought at the event.
One boy gets ready to climb the rock wall.
The fire department mans the grill.
Flashback, a local band, played at the event.
A boy plays with a bean bag.
Friends enjoyed eachothers company.
Carabiners in New Bedford brought its rock climbing wall.
A family throws bean bags together.
MARION — “Keeping tradition alive” was the slogan for this year’s annual town bash.
On Saturday, July 25 residents, families and friends gathered at Silvershell Beach to celebrate tradition and summer.
There was live music, a DJ, games for kids, a rock climbing wall and plenty of food and drinks.
Donna Hemphill has been helping organize for 10 years. The party is always paid for by donations. Any extra money the town raises at the event is split between the firefighters association and cultural council.
“It's just a really nice small town community event and I think that's wonderful,” Hemphill said.
The tradition of the event started many years ago and was run by the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. To keep the organization’s memory alive Hemphill continues the tradition and the mission of giving back to the community.
She said her favorite part of the event is when it finally happens. Hemphill also said that many residents love the scallops and community aspect of the event each year.
“It's nice just to be able to bring it all here, everybody hang out, have a great time, chill and relax,” Hemphill said.
Marion based band Flashback played live throwback and oldies tunes for guests. Nathan Nye of Marion is the drummer and organizer.
Nye has played at the town party previously with other bands but has been in attendance for over 25 years. He was excited for the opportunity to play with his band that has only been together for six months.
“It's a community celebrating community,” Nye said.
He said he loves how family-focused the event is and has watched his kids attend the event. Now he gets to watch his grandchildren have the same fun.
“It's a get together for the families of Marion and the surrounding towns to come together and put aside your political views and have a good time,”Nye said.
Evelyn Parsons and Daisy Baumann of Fairhaven met their friends from Marion at the party. They were the most excited to try climbing the rock wall.
Both found out about the event through friends and enjoyed other summer events put on by the town like the parades.
12-year-old Parsons said it is a great way to interact with the community even as kids.
“I feel like people get to see each other again and like they just get to meet new people and make new friends, especially with the kids,” Parsons said.
Baumann who is 11-years-old said the towns in the area definitely make summer kid-friendly with lots of family events and things to do.
The two girls are looking forward to enjoying the rest of summer and celebrating their birthday together which are only a few days apart.
