• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Presidential!We Are Having Fun!We Are Generous!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Palace Theatre

By MarionMade! on July 7, 2017

THE MARION PALACE THEATRE.
.
For some time, Downtown Marion has been said to be the heartbeat of Marion. Many would say that heartbeat began in 1928 when John Eberson designed and built the Palace Theatre. This magnificent theatre remains an anchor in downtown Marion and hosts more than 65,000 guests each year.
.
Today, the Palace operates under the direction of a board of trustees. Currently, Bev Ford, who started at the Palace in 1998 as a part-time ticket office agent, serves as the Executive Director. When Ford began working for the Palace, she was simply looking for a little extra income. After one year, Bev was promoted to Marketing Manager. After her second year, Ford was again promoted to Director of Theater operations and, in 2011, became the Executive Director.
.
The Palace Theatre has overcome many setbacks since it was first built in downtown Marion. After some years of hard use and neglect, in 1975, a group called the Palace Guard joined forces with the community and raised funds to purchase and restore the Palace. The love of the Palace was strong and, in 2008, the addition of the May Pavilion was realized, again through community support. Then, in 2013, it was discovered that the structure steel was failing and the front facade was deteriorating. A fundraising campaign was introduced and the community responded once more. Not only was the façade restored, but a new digital marquee was unveiled to the applause of the crowd.
.
The Palace is a great addition to our community due to its economic value and the experiences it shares with both its audience and performers. Sometimes the results of these shared experiences are life changing. According to the American’s for the Arts Economic Impact Calculator, in communities the size of Marion, every person who attends an event at the Palace is spending on average $22.50 in addition to the price of their ticket. This adds up to spending more than $1.4 million in our community.
.
Last year, The Palace had more than 8,000 volunteer hours–the equivalent of a $188,000 donation. The Marion community has proven time and again that it is willing to do whatever it takes to preserve this landmark to be enjoyed for generations to come.
.
#MarionMade #WeAreThePalaceTheatre

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • Boating at Tallgrass

    When you hear the name Tallgrass Trail, you probably think of walking, jogging, and bicycling, long before you think of boating; however, the Marion County Park District recently announced that canoes, kayaks, and other non-motorized watercraft may be used on Marion Community Foundation Lake. The 53-acre lake, which stretches for a half mile along the […]Read More »
  • Books & Bibs

    BOOKS AND BIBS: A GREAT LOCAL PARTNERSHIP Early childhood literacy has been a focus in Marion County for several years, but never before have kids been targeted quite so early to start reading. Now, all children born at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital and their families will receive materials to start them on the path of […]Read More »
  • CommunityRead

    COMMUNITY READ: THIS IS WHERE YOU BELONG “Our towns are what we think they are.”– One of Melody Warnick’s Love Where You Live principles The Marion Public Library, with generous support from Marion Community Foundation, distributed, throughout the county, 300+ copies of the book This Is Where You Belong: The Art And Science of Loving […]Read More »
  • Love INC is Now Aspire Ministries

      A local agency is changing its name to invest all of its funds in its local mission in Marion County. Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ) dropped its national affiliation to become Aspire Ministries. “We wanted to keep all of the donations in Marion County,” said Jenni Hypes, executive director. “We wanted […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2025 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image