MARION — With the first day of school on the horizon, summertime is almost over — but in Marion, the summer goes out with a bang.

The annual Marion Town Party took over Silvershell Beach on Saturday, Aug. 26 for “the perfect end of summer celebration,” said Marion Town Party organizer and Marion Executive Assistant Donna Hemphill.

This is the third year that the Town Party has been held at Silvershell Beach, she said. In previous years it was held at the Marion Town House.

This year’s Town Party had it all: music by DJ Gary and the band Sentimental Fools, free face painting, rock climbing, inflatable games, cornhole and loads of food including grilled scallops prepared by Marion Fire Department Captain Brooks Wilson.

“He cooks the best grilled scallops ever,” said Hemphill, who added that other town employees and board members form a “core group [of volunteers] that gets this going every year … it’s a well-oiled machine.”

And, according to Hemphill, all this fun is for a good cause.

“The Firefighters Association and the Cultural Council will be the recipients of any proceeds that [come from] the party,” she said.

While adults chowed down on scallops, and took advantage of a cash bar, kids had the most fun with free activities set up around the party.

Lines quickly formed for free face painting as well as for the chance to scale a rock climbing wall from Carabiners Climbing and Fitness.

Eight-year-old Logan Getty, who was a little nervous about climbing the 28-foot portable climbing wall, faced his fear and climbed part way up the wall.

Another big hit was a simple summer staple — a bucket of soapy water perfect for blowing bubbles.

“The whole purpose really is [to have an] end of summer celebration before the kids go back to school,” said Hemphill. “Just a really nice time spent with families and friends.”