Central Park in Marion will be filled with the commotion of concerts, contests, and even a few chainsaws this weekend for Chingawassa Days.
Things to do
Races, contests, and games are the bread and butter of Chingawassa Days, and there will be no shortage of participatory events this year.
Events begin early Saturday, with the Rhino Run 5-kilometer run and 2-mile run/walk starting at 8 a.m. at the park. A horseshoe pitching tournament also begins at 8 a.m in the park.
Competition continues at 9:30 a.m. with bed races and Marion’s Amazing Race both starting on Main Street.
A petting zoo will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Dinky Duck Race is at 10:30 a.m. at the park fountain.
Inflatable attractions will fill the Kid Zone from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday afternoon events include games, a Texas hold ‘em tournament at noon, a rock-paper-scissors tournament at 1:15 p.m., a dodgeball tournament at 2 p.m., Minute (or less) to Win It at 2 p.m., a texting contest at 2:30 p.m., arm wrestling at 2:45 p.m., Bingo at 3:15 p.m, and sumo wrestling at 3:30 p.m.
Things to see and hear in the park
Concerts and demonstrations are always popular at Chingawassa Days.
The headline concert is Diamond Rio. The 2011 Grammy-winning country band is scheduled to play at 9:15 p.m. Saturday. If the weather makes having the concert outdoors impossible, it will be moved to USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center.
Tribute bands Edge of Forever (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Hells/Bells (AC/DC) will play Friday night, beginning at 7 p.m. If weather is a problem, the concerts will be in USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center.
Richard Sardou of Marion will demonstrate chain saw sculpture Saturday morning. His art will be auctioned at 8 p.m. at the main stage.
Steel drum band Tropical Shores will play at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the gazebo stage.
Contemporary bands Vegetable and Clearview will play on the main stage Saturday evening. Vegetable is scheduled to take the stage at 6 p.m., and Clearview will begin about 7:15 p.m.
The Kansas Anvil Shooters will present demonstrations at 9 a.m. and noon Saturday at the south end of the park.
McPherson Bagpipe Band will play at 11:15 a.m. at the gazebo stage.
The Marion Middle School and El Dorado High School drum lines are scheduled to perform at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Former University of Kansas basketball player and 2006 NBA champion Wayne Simien will speak at the community church service, 10:30 a.m. Sunday at USD 408 Performing Arts Center.
Things to eat
It wouldn’t be a community festival without plenty to eat.
There will be a community barbecue 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. An ice cream social will start at 6:30 p.m. If weather is a problem, both events will be in the Marion Elementary School gymnasium.
Saturday’s events begin with a pancake feed 7 to 10 a.m. A watermelon feed will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the blue tent.
There will also be a variety of food vendors at the park all day. Types of food available include Indian tacos, funnel cakes, bierrocks, bratwursts, German and Chinese dishes, Philly steak sandwiches, and flavored drinks