Weekend Pulse: Happenings in Marion County, Friday, June 26–Sunday, June 28, 2026

MARION, OHIO — The last weekend of June brings a full slate around Marion County, with Rogue Theatrics at the Palace, the Marion County Fair opening at the fairgrounds, live music on local patios, farmers markets, a kids’ fishing derby, Black Joy Summerfest, brunch at Bucci’s, and the Marion Concert Band back in McKinley Park.

Friday, June 26

9:00 AM – The Untold Stories of Ohio’s First Ladies – Marion Public Library – 445 E. Church St., Marion – The traveling kiosk exhibit continues at Marion Public Library, spotlighting the lives, leadership and legacy of Ohio’s First Ladies. Free.

11:00 AM – Chair Yoga – Emanuel Lutheran Church – 241 S. Prospect St., Marion – A Friday chair yoga class led by instructor Tracy Pryor, adaptable for all skill levels. Donation or $10.

6:00 PM – Friday “Wine Down” featuring Live Music with Dr. Ike – OK Café – 734 E. Center St., Marion – OK Café’s Friday patio series continues with live acoustic music, food and wine specials from 6–9 p.m.

7:00 PM – Live Music with Jams for Jim – Shovel City Drinkery – 181 N. Main St., Marion – Jams for Jim takes over Shovel City from 7–10 p.m., with Zade’s Soul Food Truck on-site from 5–9 p.m. Free.

7:30 PM – Summer Hoopla: Grills Gone Wild – Marion Palace Theatre, May Pavilion – 276 W. Center St., Marion – Rogue Theatrics brings an 18-and-up summer cabaret packed with rock music, sketch comedy and backyard chaos. Tickets are $27 general admission and $35 premium seating.

9:30 PM – Marion’s MOTHAPALOOZA – Elgin SPEEC Building – 1239 Keener Rd. S., Marion – A nighttime nature event with moth baiting, black lights and naturalist-led discoveries behind the Elgin football stadium. Free.

Saturday, June 27

9:00 AM – Fishing Derby – The Meeker Sportsman Club – 1658 Agosta Meeker Rd. N., Marion – A free fishing derby for children 15 and under, with registration from 9–9:15 a.m., orientation from 9:15–9:30 a.m., fishing from 9:45–11:30 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bait, fishing equipment and lunch are provided. It is recommended to bring lawn chairs, sunscreen, and bug spray for comfort.

10:00 AM – The Untold Stories of Ohio’s First Ladies – Marion Public Library – 445 E. Church St., Marion – The traveling kiosk exhibit continues at Marion Public Library, spotlighting the lives, leadership and legacy of Ohio’s First Ladies. Free.

10:00 AM – 2026 Prospect Farmers Market – Prospect Farmers Market – 204 E. Water St., Prospect – Prospect’s summer farmers market continues with fresh local produce, farm goods, baked goods, handmade crafts, specialty items and more.

10:00 AM – Brunch, Please! A Mimosa Fueled Throwback Sing-along — Swifty Style – Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen – 320 W. Center St., Marion – Brunch, Please! returns with a Swifty-style sing-along brunch, mimosas, food and a room full of voices built for the throwback crowd. Tickets range from $30.03–$321.75.

10:00 AM – Caledonia Farmers Market – Caledonia Public Square – 110 E. Marion St., Caledonia – Caledonia’s farmers market continues with local vendors, produce and community shopping in the public square.

Noon – Black Joy Summerfest – Martin Luther King Jr. Park – 201–261 Cass Ave., Marion – Black Joy Summerfest fills Martin Luther King Jr. Park with a Saturday afternoon community celebration from noon–5 p.m.

6:00 PM – Blues on the Patio with Benjamin Callender – OK Café – 734 E. Center St., Marion – Columbus Blues Challenge winner Benjamin Callender brings his one-man blues band to the OK Café patio from 6–10 p.m. Free.

6:00 PM – Party on the Patio featuring Live Music with Kyle Fields – Shovel City Drinkery – 181 N. Main St., Marion – Nashville recording artist Kyle Fields performs on Shovel City’s patio from 6–10 p.m., with Bussin Dogs and The Wailing Onion food trucks on-site. Free.

6:30 PM – America 250 Marion Outdoors: Larry Yoder Prairie Group Outing – Larry R. Yoder Prairie Learning Laboratory at OSU Marion – 1465 Mount Vernon Ave., Marion – America 250 Marion continues its June outdoor series with an educational outing at Larry Yoder Prairie, led by James Anderson. Meet in Student Lot 3 North next to the Science and Engineering Building. Free. (Marion Community Foundation)

7:30 PM – Queen of Hearts – Kin & Kilt – 130 S. Prospect St., Marion – Kin & Kilt’s weekly Queen of Hearts drawing continues Saturday night. Grab your tickets, try your luck and see if the crown is hiding on your card.

7:30 PM – Summer Hoopla: Grills Gone Wild – Marion Palace Theatre, May Pavilion – 276 W. Center St., Marion – Rogue Theatrics returns for the second night of its 18-and-up summer cabaret packed with rock music, sketch comedy and backyard comedy. Tickets are $27 general admission and $35 premium seating.

Sunday, June 28

10:00 AM – Brunch, Please! A Mimosa Fueled Throwback Sing-along SOLD OUT – Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen – 320 W. Center St., Marion – Brunch, Please! returns with mimosas, food and a sold-out room ready for a throwback sing-along brunch. Tickets ranged from $30.03–$321.75.

11:00 AM – 176th Annual Marion County Fair (NO RIDES SUNDAY) – Marion County Fairgrounds – 220 E. Fairground St., Marion – The Marion County Fair opens its 176th annual run, with midway food, barns, animals, exhibits and grandstand entertainment continuing through Saturday, July 4. Admission is $10–$11.64 for ages 10 and up; season passes are $35–$37.38 per person.

7:00 PM – Marion Concert Band Summer Concerts in the Park – Erickson Pavilion at McKinley Park – 1000 McKinley Park Blvd., Marion – The Marion Concert Band continues its free summer concert series at the Erickson Pavilion.