Welcome to Marion Arts Festival’s Art on the Avenue!

2026 Schedule of Events

Portable toilets are located on 7th Avenue, in the central plaza
ADA accessible toilets are also available in the train depot at Marion Square Park
ADA parking is available in the former library lot, across 6th Avenue from the park
ADA golf cart assisted parking will be available in the Hills Bank Parking Lot

Race Schedule

Additional race information can be found on the MAF Runs Page

Friday, May 15th
5PM-8PM | Vernon Middle School Cafeteria 
Packet pick-up & late race registration

Saturday, May 16th 
6:00 AM – 6:45 AM | Marion City Hall Parking Lot 
Limited packet pick-up – NO race day registration 

7:30AM  | 5th Avenue outside Vernon Middle School
Race Start Time 

Festival Schedule 

9:00 AM | 7th Ave between 10th & 12th St
Festival Opens to the public featuring:
50 Presenting Artists & two Emerging Artists | 7th Avenue between 10th & 12th St.

9:00 AM | Central Plaza 
Food court opens featuring:
Goldfinch
Villas Patio
Uptown Coffee
& inside at surrounding area businesses

9:00 AM | Create & Explore Spaces | Marion Square Park
3D canvas graffiti & paint activity with 237 Collective
Wheel throwing and play clay table with the Iowa Ceramics Center 
Printmaking activity with Iowa City Press Co-op 
Storytelling with Darrin Crow 

 9:00 AM | Empty Bowls Sale | Marion Square Park & Depot
ALL DAY - Help fight food insecurity with your purchase of a bowl!

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Fan Favorite Voting Begins 
Stop by the info tent with a donation of $1 or more to cast your ballot for the “Fan Favorite” award 

10:00 AM | Vernon Middle School
Half Marathon & 5K Awards Ceremony at Finish Line

10:00 AM | Window Painting | FRYDAE
Zing Phelps live window painting from 10:00AM - 6:00PM
* not a MAF affiliated event

11:15AM | Music in the Central Plaza
Acts & set times listed below

All Day! | Uptown Window Gallery Self Guided Walk
A self guided gallery walk around Uptown Marion businesses to view the incredible creativity of young artists from local area schools. From May 8 through May 18, families can enjoy the incredible creativity of our young artists, displayed in Uptown Marion storefront windows for a fun, safe way to experience art while strolling through town. Maps available at the Marion Public Library, the Marion Chamber of Commerce, and participating businesses.

***Participating Businesses: Sloane - State of Mind - Goldfinch - The Marion Chocolate Shop
Di Moda - Joy - Scout - Zoey's - Modern Valley - Eat Shop - Designs By Michelle - The Purple Wagon

2:00 PM | Info Tent - Center Festival
Artist “Best in Show” Winners Posted at Info tent

Continued | North Plaza & Marion Square Park
Create & Explore Spaces – ALL DAY! 
Empty Bowls Sale – ALL DAY!  
Uptown Food Court – ALL DAY!   

5:00 PM | Festival Site
Festival Closes
Uptown Food Court Closes
Live Art Activities Close
Empty Bowls Sale Closes  

Central Plaza Music:

11:15a-12:30p
Ryan Hoagland

1:00p-2:15p
Spirit Awake

2:45p-4:00p
TBC

Marion Square Park - School of Rock Showcase

10:45a-11:15a
School of Rock - intermission set

12:30p-1:00p
School of Rock - intermission set