3rd Annual General Francis Marion Celebrations in Historic Marion, SC (February 24th-26th)

The Historic Marion Revitalization Association announced plans for the Third Annual General Francis Marion Celebrations.

The City of Marion hosts the events that honor General Francis Marion with reenactments and demonstrations from the Revolutionary War time period. HMRA is one of many organizations that help to make the festivties a success.

The festivities will kick off on Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. with the laying of a wreath on the Gen. Francis Marion Statue at Courthouse Square on Main Street.  Re-enactors will set camp up beside the Marion County Library from 5 – 7p.m. The public is invited to tour the camp, get free hot cider and gingerbread and have a fireside chat with re-enactors about the art of reenacting the Revolutionary War. Also registration for the Historic Marion Runfest will be held at the Marion Opera House between 4 and 7:30p.m.

Runfest will begin in the Opera House parking lot the following morning, Feb. 25, at 9 a.m. There will be a 10-mile, 10K and 5K run. In addition to the adult runs, children will have the opportunity to participate in the Tot Trot at 11 a.m in the Marion Baptist Church parking lot. To learn more about Runfest visitwww.rmssports.com and register online. Shortly after the run begins, reenactment camp will open back up to the public at 9:30 a.m. with soap and candle making demonstrations, open fire cooking and other 18^thCentury skills on display. The reenactment camp will close at 5 p.m.

At noon, Court Street will play host to the Third Annual Swamp Fox Chili Cook-off. To participate or to just get a ticket call 843-423-9918.

There will not be a reenactment, event planners said. The reenactment will be an every other year occurrence.

The weekend’s activities will continue through Sunday, Feb. 27 with an 18^th Century worship service at Presbyterian Church on Main Street. For those who might miss the demonstrations on the 25^th, re-enactors will open camp one last time at 11 a.m. and will close at 3 p.m.

For more details visit www.marionsc.gov and www.theswampfox.com or call the Marion Chamber of Commerce at 843-423-3561 or the City of Marion at 843-423-5961, Ext. 21.