We are still in the last of the late, dog days of Summer here in Marshall, but soon the kiddies will head back to school. Our Marshall students and teachers are gearing up and getting excited (or for some a little sad) for the new school year. Teachers are setting up their classrooms. Our athletes are starting to practice for their games, and coaches are making plans, strategies, and decisions. Parents and guardians are shopping for backpacks, new school clothes, and everything their kids need for the new school year. Local businesses are a buzz with activity, and downtown is busy as usual. Remember to shop local and support our local businesses as much as you can.
More Late Summer Fun is Still Happening
One of our favorite traditions every August in Marshall is “Marshall Night Out.” On this one night, we gather together to celebrate all the amazing things about our town. Marshall is a very warm and welcoming community, and Marshall Night Out brings out businesses, organizations, visitors, and everyone who loves to call Marshall their home. The event is completely FREE and is always fun for the whole family. Connect with fellow members of our community, enjoy all the awesome activities, and celebrate with locals and visitors alike.
Date: Friday, August 14th
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Courthouse Square, Downtown Marshall
Cost: 100% FREE!
The activities include:
The TOUCH-A-TRUCK ZONE. Here, you and the kids can get up close and personal with all kinds of vehicles you would never normally be able to get your hands on. Sit in the seats, climb inside, honk the horns of the big rigs, and play to your heart’s content.
Trucks that will be there include a Fire Truck from the Marshall Fire Protection District. A Clark County Ambulance, a Police Car compliments of the Marshall Police Department, a Tow Truck from Edington Wrecker Service, a Medivac Helicopter, and a Military Humvee. Enjoy this attraction from 5 pm to 8 pm.
To add to the excitement, there will be a Police K9 Demonstration. Witness our incredible local K9 team in action up close and personal. But behave. You don’t want to make these furry friends mad!
Free Food at the event:
There will be free hot dogs, chips, and water for everyone to enjoy, and free Cotton Candy for the first 500 kids who get in line, so get there early and enjoy that sugary fluff.
Fun for the Kiddies:
We have face painting to turn them into a superhero or favorite animal. Speaking of animals, there will be a very cool Petting Zoo. Meet some new furry friends. There will also be a barrel train for train rides and bounce houses to enjoy.
Marshall Night Out also falls on our last Farmer’s Market night. The last two farmers markets are on 8/7 and 8/14. The Farmer’s Market runs from 6 to 9 pm, and our own Marshall City Band will give their last Farmer’s Market performance for the year at 8 pm, so do not miss that.
This promises to be one incredible late summer night. Grab your family, friends, and neighbors and get out to the event.
After the event, head down to the Marshall Community Pool from 8 pm to 11 pm for a FREE night swim. Before you know it, the summer will be over, so don’t late to swim under the stars before the evenings start to cool off and Fall takes over.
Something for the Movie Lovers:
Head over to Harlan Hall on Wednesday, August 12 for a fun flick. This month’s feature film for Reel Classics at Harlan Hall is the classic musical comedy, Oklahoma.
Harlan Hall is located at 603 Locust St., Marshall, Illinois. The movie starts at 2 p.m., and free popcorn and a drink will be served to participants. For those of you who have never seen the movie Oklahoma, it came out in 1955 and was a box-office success. The movie is based on the 1943 stage musical by the famous writing team Rodgers and Hammerstein, which was adapted from the 1931 play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs.
The movie stars Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones, in her film debut (you may know her as the mother on the old TV show The Partridge Family), and dramatic actor Rod Steiger, who plays “the bad guy.”
The movie is set in the Oklahoma Territory just after the turn of the 20th century and tells the story of farm girl Laurey Williams (Jones) and her courtship by two rival suitors, cowboy Curly McLain (MacRae) and the sinister, scary farmhand Jud Fry (Steiger). A secondary romance concerns Laurey’s friend, Ado Annie (Grahame), and cowboy Will Parker. The background theme is the territory’s hopes and dreams to become a state, and the conflict between local farmers and cattlemen.
As always, there is something for everyone in Marshall, Illinois.
