On Friday, July 11, Marion was full of song. The Marion Town Band played at the amphitheater by the Harbormaster building while the Buzzards Bay Musicfest took place at Tabor’s Fireman Performing Arts Center up the road. Downtown Marion was flooded with concert goers.
The Marion Concert Band, playing every Friday throughout their 2025 concert season, performed “A Young People’s Concert” with arrangements focusing on captivating youth with the magic of song. From popular songs to those found in movie soundtracks, many children arrived via family car or bike gang to listen along, eat ice cream and snacks, or even get cotton candy.
“I love it here! Wow!” exclaimed 6-year-old Margaret, from Marion.
Over at Tabor, the Buzzards Bay Musicfest was in full swing, literally, with the BBMF Swing Band performing various hits from the era of swing and jazz like Scrabble From The Apple by Charlie Parker and Take Five by Paul Desmond (though made famous by Dave Brubeck). Both bands began at nearly the same time, and both saw huge crowds and full parking lots. The main lot near Tabor’s football field was full, so many were bused in from lots up the road. The same goes for the other concert at Island Wharf up the road, with the lot being full though many walked or biked from their homes.
The Buzzards Bay Musicfest came to an end on Sunday, July 13 though the Marion Concert Band continues to play Fridays throughout the summer.
By Sam Bishop