The 2026 Marion Town Party was this past Saturday evening. Though it started at 4:00 pm, festivities continued on after sunset.
The party was in the field by Silvershell Beach, moved up from August as it was in years past to increase accessibility and turnout. When the party began, residents slowly trickled in from the parking lot or hiked up from the beach, still in their bathing suits from a perfect beach day, to play cornhole, the various inflatable games, grapple up the portable rock-climbing wall, or just chow down after a day of summer fun.
For food, there was the usual summer essentials: off the grill was some scallops, there was pizza, some New England clam chowder (fantastic), and much more. Food was prepared by Marion Fire Department and an army of volunteers – both town employees and residents.
At the inflatable section, there was a bit of a crisis after a prospective all-star launched a soccer ball through the score hole which then led to a minor structural failure and partial collapse of the sports game, though luckily some adults were nearby to stand it up again, and ball launching continued shortly thereafter.
Town Administrator Executive Assistant Donna Hemphill had been the party’s organizer, as she had done with town parties in years prior, and she was present throughout to ensure smooth operations along with other town representatives.
The annual Marion Town Party has gone on for longer than anyone remembers, with no official start date to the first celebration in the records, nor in anyone’s personal memories. Though the Covid pandemic did leave us without a party before, the fest still continues each summer, bringing the town together for a big summer bash.
By Sam Bishop