The City of Marion Illinois

What an eventful week it has been in ! Here's a quick recap of just a few of the highlights:

Marion Carnegie Library started their summer reading program with a fun Garden Party at .gardens. Check out their social media pages - there are events on the schedule for all members of the family to enjoy throughout the summer 🌼

Free concerts returned to on Tuesday with Cat Daddy 'O taking the stage. This show marks the first of the concert series from Marion Connects . Go ahead and make plans to attend these free shows on the first Tuesday of each month from 6-8pm through October 🤘

Another favorite event was back for the second time this season - Shine & Show! Car enthusiasts from all around brought their vehicles to Tower Square Plaza for a beautiful evening of shared interest, great food from local eateries, and fun vibes. All are invited to come for the next show on Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 5-7pm ✨

returns to the next week! Almost 50 young women from throughout the state will take the stage showcasing their talent, grace, and commitment to service. The MCCC crew has taken special care this week to make the facility sparkle as we prepare to welcome guests from near & far to our City 🫶

Thank you to everyone who makes Marion a better place each and every day. Let’s continue to support each other and look forward to more achievements and celebrations!

The Marion Cultural and Civic Center team is awesome ✨

Thanks for all of your hard work!

We're excited to have the Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization, Miss Illinois' Teen, and here in one week ⭐

What an eventful week it has been in ! Here's a quick recap of just a few of the highlights:

Memorial Day Ceremony: We honored our heroes with a touching ceremony hosted by the Marion VFW Post 1301 at Rose Hill Cemetery. Thank you to all who attended and paid tribute to those who have served our country 🇺🇸

Building & Trades Achievement: A proud moment for as the Building & Trades class completed their first home in the Midway Court neighborhood, which has officially been sold. Congratulations to the students, teachers, and new homeowners 🎉

Fire Department Support: We're thrilled to announce that the Marion Fire Department has secured a $26,000 grant to purchase new extraction tools. This will greatly enhance their ability to respond to emergencies and keep our community safe 💪

Remembering Our Neighbors: We took a moment to remember the ten neighbors we lost in the 1982 tornado. Their memory strengthens our resolve and reminds us of the resilience that defines Marion 💙💛

Thank you to everyone who makes Marion a better place each and every day. Let’s continue to support each other and look forward to more achievements and celebrations!

Our USA 250 website is LIVE, and it’s your go-to hub for all things patriotic this summer!

Explore a fabulous lineup of events hosted by organizations across our region. From parades to readings, there’s something for everyone 🇺🇸

Don't forget to grab your exclusive USA 250 merchandise from Wit and Wisdom. Show off your patriotic spirit in style!

Tickets for the Bulls, Boots, and Bright Lights event are flying off the shelves—don’t miss out on this spectacular celebration 🤠

We can’t wait to spend a summer of red, white, & blue with you 💙🤍❤

📅 : https://usa250.cityofmarionil.gov
👕 : https://www.witandwisdomstore.com/marion-250th-merch
🎟️ : https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/50733881/bullsbootsand-bright-lights-marion-mtn-dew-park

⭐ Job Opportunity ⭐

Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Marion

The City of Marion is seeking a dedicated and proactive individual to join our team as a Code Enforcement Officer. This role is crucial in maintaining the integrity and safety of our community by ensuring compliance with local codes and ordinances.

More about the job, including qualifications & benefits here ➡️ https://www.indeed.com/job/code-enforcement-officer-00ec427689d064fe

Apply here ➡️ https://cityofmarionil.gov/employment/

Join us on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Tornado Memorial on Tower Square Plaza as we remember the ten lives lost in the 1982 Marion tornado and celebrate the strength and resilience of our community. Arrive by 3pm for a ceremony where, at 3:16pm, the names of the victims will be read aloud with bell tolls to honor each life lost.

Check out this F R E E event for kiddos 15 mos. - 3 years old at Market Street Music Conservatory on Saturday, May 23, 2026 starting at 10am 🎶

TOMORROW!
Under The Sea with Musik Garten! 🎶
Check out this super fun and FREE opportunity for ages 15 months - 3 years old!
This event will take place right here at Market Street Music Conservatory!

Did you know that exists because of then Major General John A. Logan?

Thanks to the General John A. Logan Museum, you can read his 1868 orders below 👇

If you're interested in John A. Logan's life, accomplishments, or impact on Southern Illinois, pay the museum in Murphysboro a visit! And be sure to check out the historical marker on in 🇺🇸

As we prepare for Memorial Day, we return to the words of General John A. Logan, whose 1868 order reminds us why we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country....

MEMORIAL DAY ORDER*
Headquarters Grand Army of the Republic
Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868.
GENERAL ORDERS
No. 11
I.
The 30th day of May, 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms.
We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remains in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the nation's gratitude—the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
II.
It is the purpose of the commander in chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III.
Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
By Command of —
John A. Logan,
Commander in Chief
N.P. Chipman,
Adjutant General

City Hall will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026 in observance of Memorial Day.

Regular operating hours, 8am-5pm, will resume on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 🇺🇸

Marion VFW Post 1301 is hosting a Service at Rose Hill Cemetery on Monday, May 25, 2026 starting at 11am. This event is free to attend and all are welcome ❤🤍💙