Live music, pop-up shops coming to S. Main St. in Marion this week – Marion Star

MARION — South Main Street in Marion will be a busy place on Thursday and Friday evenings.

A salute to first responders and Christian music will be featured on Friday evening at Founders Park during an event called Praise Fest. It’s scheduled from 5 to 10 p.m. Admission is free.

“It’s about honoring God, family, and country, and we’ll be honoring first responders, healthcare workers, and military members,” said organizer Alex Reese, who is a member of the praise team at Genesis church in Marion. “And we’re going to give a great gift to the Marion Police Department. Police officers run into danger when we run away from it. So we want to honor law enforcement.

“The Genesis church praise and the Hope Family Church praise team will be there. We have another praise team from Toledo, Ohio, coming in, too. So, we’re looking forward to having a real good time.”

Reese noted that a World War II veteran is scheduled to lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Reese said organizers ask people coming to praise fest to bring their own lawn chairs and refreshments. Organizers also request that attendees wear face masks and adhere to social distancing standards established by the Ohio Department of Health. He said water, pre-packaged popcorn, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes will be given away during the event.

Reese said organizers hope to stage praise fest on an annual basis.

Marion Christians United is helping to organize the event.

Pop-up shops & live music on South Main St.

Luke Henry, co-owner of The Brickyard on Main and The Union, said his establishments plus several other eateries and stores will be open on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Henry said with all of the restrictions and cancellations due to the coronavirus pandemic, he hopes the pop-up shops will give vendors the chance to get some positive exposure and provide local residents with a fun evening out.

“We wanted to be able to showcase some of the local creators and makers that haven’t been able to sell their wares because craft shows have been canceled,” Henry said. “We’ve also been doing some shows at The Brickyard, mainly on the weekends, so we thought with the pop-up show on Thursday and Friday, why not do two shows this weekend at The Brickyard, too. Hopefully, this will let people have a feeling a normalcy again.”

Henry said the pop-up shops at The Union, 130 S. Main St., will feature local creators and makers on both evenings. The following vendors are participating in the pop-up shop: WARM Clothing Co., Livvy Loo Crochet, Country Essence Boutique, Priceless Woodworking, and D&D Pallets. The pop-up shop will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. each day.

Live music will be featured at The Brickyard, 135 S. Main St., on Thursday and Friday during the venue’s Songs & Shakeups nights from 5 to 9 p.m. Two-man band Kensington Park will be the featured act on Thursday evening. The duo of Vaughn Sizemore and Andy Kerr plays acoustic versions of classic hits from the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Marion County musician Silo Mayne will hit the stage at The Brickyard on Friday evening. He offers a blend of classic country and rock for music fans.

In addition to The Union and The Brickyard, Henry said Baires Restaurant, A Taste of Memphis, Marion Brewing Co., Topped Ice Cream, The Paisley Peacock, Curiosity, and other establishments along South Main Street will be open.

Marion Brewing Co. has booked the Wicked Lobstah food truck to be on site from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.

eacarter@marionstar.com

@AndrewACCarter