This year promises to be the best Marshall Autumn Festival ever! This weekend, September 15 through 17, the streets of Marshall will be transformed into a Fall playground with something for everyone, from arts, crafts, and food booths to parades and cake walks. We told you about all the great entertainment sets for this year. Here are a few of the highlights for the weekend, starting the day before the big event.
On Thursday, September 14, our Marshall Library will host their Americans and the Holocaust exhibit. It will be open from 10 am to 5 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday during the festival. A special treat will happen at the library at 6:30 pm when “Jews ‘N the Blues” will perform. Get over to the library and get the weekend underway.
Friday events include:
The Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing. Tee times are 8 a.m. and 12 noon. Get your golf on and support the chamber.
The arts, crafts, and food booths open at 9 a.m., both Friday and Saturday, and will be open until 10 p.m. On Sunday, you will have your last chance to visit the booths from 10 a.m. to the end of the festival at 4:30 p.m.
Enjoy a delicious fish dinner at the Marshall VFW from 4 to 8 p.m.
Take advantage of the Optimist Club’s Cake Walk at 6 p.m. after singing the National Anthem and flag-raising ceremony. Our Mayor will speak at 8 pm too.
Friday and Saturday, the fun continues at the Marshall VFW from 9 to 12 p.m., where you can enjoy the beer garden.
Saturday events include:
The Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. and goes to 10 a.m. If you want to walk off breakfast, join the 1-mile walk or 5K foot pursuit (or cheer them on). Proceeds go to “Shop with a Cop.”
On Saturday and Sunday, you can watch the “Wall Dogs” participating in the Live Mural Painting at Country Financial. It’s the opposite of “watching paint dry,” so don’t miss seeing this in action.
Get your chairs set up early for the big PARADE! The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. and is one of the weekend’s highlights.
If all this makes you thirsty, Moe’s has you covered. Head over from 1 pm to 10 pm and enjoy the beer garden with special live entertainment.
From 4 to 7 p.m., you can stop into the Gaslight Art Colony and see the artwork of our talented student artists.
At 6 p.m., St. Mary’s Church will be doing their Cake Walk. Make sure to support their efforts, too.
Sunday events include:
The Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show starts with registration at 7:30 a.m. These incredible vehicles will be on display most of the day, with the trophies awarded at 3 p.m.
Josh Beeman will offer worship at 10 a.m. for those wishing to participate.
One of the favorite events of the weekend is the Tot-Rod Pedal Pull. Registration is at 11:30, and the event is at noon.
The Autumn Festival will wrap up at 4:30 p.m.
If you are coming from out of town, check out our local stores and restaurants. Book your accommodations in advance, whether at a hotel or the camping sites at our local parks. It will be a weekend to remember, so make sure to attend this once-a-year festival, one of Illinoi’s most touted events.
The Autumn Festival Parade will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023. The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m., with registration and lineup scheduled from 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before parade time. All units must report to the high school parking lot on 5th Street. The registration booth will be located in that area. Those having a float and wanting to be judged must be in place by 10:00 a.m.
Activities are planned all weekend beginning on Friday, September 16, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. There will be plenty of free entertainment, great food, booths, and activities for all ages. Plan now to be a part of this fantastic Autumn Fest. In an effort to help us be self-supporting, we are asking for a donation of your choice for each entry.
Again, this year, we ask that if you intend to distribute candy, please arrange for “walkers” to hand it out. For the safety of our children, PLEASE do not throw candy from parade vehicles. We look forward to your participation in the Autumn Festival Parade.
