The Marion America 250 tale for March weaves together a story from multiple facets of Marion’s chapter in the American entertainment story. From a curious toddler in Marion to a Grammy-nominated jazz artist — the story of Bobby Floyd is one of talent, determination, and a lifelong love of music.
Bobby’s musical journey began at just 2 years old, inspired by his mother Vera, a pianist at St. Paul’s Church of Christ in God. After his parents bought a piano from Hardin Music Store, young Bobby couldn’t stay away. Even a taped line meant to keep him back didn’t stop him — the next morning, they found him at the keys, and the rest is history.
By age 6, this Marion native — already showing perfect pitch — was playing at church. His extraordinary talent led to an acclaimed career in jazz, performing alongside legends like Ray Charles, Dr. John, and Doc Severinsen.
Bobby later earned a Grammy nomination for his work on All About That Basie, recognized among the best large jazz ensemble albums of the year at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
From Marion to the world stage, Bobby Floyd’s story reminds us that great things can begin with a single note.
From sketching comic book heroes as a child in Marion to a 40-year career behind the mic and camera, Bob Nunnally built a life in broadcasting fueled by creativity and passion. 🎙️
Known on the airwaves as “Big Bob,” he began his radio career at WNCI in 1977 and later spent 14 years at WSNY (Sunny 95) as a DJ, music director, and assistant programming director. His broadcast journey continued at WCMH-TV, where he became a full-time weathercaster and remained a trusted presence for more than 25 years.
Though his career took him beyond Marion, Bob never stopped giving back — serving as emcee for the Marion Popcorn Festival, the Miss Heart of Ohio Contest, and welcoming “Buckeye Chuck” each Groundhog Day.
A lifelong comic book fan, movie enthusiast, and talented sketch artist, Bob even created his own childhood comic character, “Packy,” which he turned into a comic strip.
A Marion native whose voice, creativity, and community spirit left a lasting impact. ✨
The Marion Palace Theatre is one of the community’s most treasured landmarks. Standing proudly in downtown since 1928, the Palace remains a powerful symbol of Marion’s dedication to preserving history, creativity, and community spirit.
The theatre was the vision of renowned Austrian-American architect John Eberson, famous for designing atmospheric movie palaces. Imagined as an open-air Spanish courtyard beneath a starlit sky, the Palace opened on August 30, 1928. Built in just eight months at a cost of $500,000, it quickly became a regional showpiece known for its stunning design and state-of-the-art entertainment.
Like many historic theaters, the Palace later faced significant challenges. The Great Depression, changing entertainment trends, and declining attendance placed the beloved venue at risk. By the mid-1970s, demolition seemed possible — until seven determined local citizens stepped forward. Known as the “Palace Guard,” they purchased the theatre in 1975 and launched a community-wide restoration effort. With more than $500,000 raised and guidance from Drew Eberson, son of the original architect, the Palace was restored and triumphantly reopened in 1976.
Their efforts led to the formation of the Palace Cultural Arts Association, which continues to preserve and operate the theatre today. Because of that work, over the decades, from this very stage dozens of talented locals have launched a career in the entertainment industry.
Now seating approximately 1,400 guests, the Palace hosts national touring acts, concerts, films, local theater productions, and educational programming. As it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2028, the theatre stands as both an architectural treasure and a testament to the power of community vision.
The U.S. Open Championships was a premier American drum and bugle corps competition held annually in Marion, Ohio, drawing elite corps from across the United States and Canada. The inaugural event on August 17, 1968 featured nearly 25 Open and Class A corps competing in preliminaries and finals. Blue Rock Drum and Bugle Corps of Wilmington, Delaware claimed the first Open Class title, with powerhouse groups like Blue Stars, St. Lucy’s Cadets, and Madison Scouts also ranking high—establishing Marion as a destination for top-tier competition from the start.
By the 1970s, the U.S. Open had become one of the largest and most respected drum corps contests outside the national championship circuit. Throughout the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, and into the 1990s, it remained a highlight of the summer drum corps season. For many performers, earning an invitation to compete in Marion was a major goal, and performing before packed stands was a treasured experience.
As the competitive landscape evolved, preliminaries were reduced and eventually discontinued. The 1995 event marked one of the final years of the U.S. Open in its classic form.
Today, Marion’s legacy as a drum corps hub is experiencing a revival through the work of The Marion Arts Legacy Alliance. In 2025, the city hosted DCI Central Ohio, a Drum Corps International sanctioned competition. In 2026, the event returns as The Marion Open, scheduled for July 30 at Marion Harding Football Stadium—continuing Marion’s proud tradition as a center for world-class marching arts.
