What an incredible month July has been as the community has come together to celebrate America’s 250th birthday Marion-style. It was a month themed around gathering as we invited everyone to commemorate and celebrate together more of Marion’s chapter in the American story.
What better way to kick off our Red, White & YOU weekend than at Third Thursday in the heart of Marion’s revitalized downtown district! This summer, Downtown Marion has transformed into a sea of patriotic pride with flags furling overhead from street lamps and flower beds bursting with a sea of patriotic blooms. Selected as the ultimate “Marion Gathers” kickoff – featuring live music, local vendors, and a street party that brings the whole county together like one big family reunion – this Third Thursday was a true celebration of community.
Weaving key historic sites and the people who made them significant into the Red, White & YOU weekend brought the community together for one spectacular night on the lawn at the Harding Home to celebrate Marion’s presidential history, right where the 29th President once greeted thousands during his historic 1920 campaign. As part of this big night, the beautiful Etowah Mansion, right across the street, welcomed guests to discover a piece of Marion’s history through exclusive tours, talks, and treats.
Etowah Mansion and the family of George W. King who called it home once welcomed guests like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone. One of the largest houses built in Marion before 1945, with over 55 rooms for the family, domestic staff, and guests, the property was complete with terraced gardens and a lake at the rear of the grounds. King appropriately named his home “Etowah,” meaning beautiful place.
People came from across the County to cool down during the Red, White & YOU emphasis as The Women’s Club and Home opened its historic porch and grounds for a vintage-style ice cream social. People from the neighborhood and across the community gathered to enjoy the frozen treat and share stories. This event underscored a century-old Marion tradition and highlighted the importance of gathering for a new generation. The Women’s Club Home has been an influential gathering place for Marion women since the 1940s, and today hosts many gatherings with a continued commitment to community and the contributions of Marion women.
No matter the location, one valued tradition that captures the heart of this community is a desire to gather and connect as we honor Marion’s past and forge a bright future.
