Sunrise over downtown Marshall from Blannahassett Island. Photo by Amanda Hilty
Marshall Magic Days, a celebration of the town’s resilience and the reopening of its downtown businesses, will take place from Thursday, May 1, to Sunday, May 4. “Marshall Magic Days was born from a fervent hope for the future,” says Lisa Osherow, director of the Downtown Marshall Association. “It’s an expression of the love we have for our town and the people in it. Businesses, artists and locals are coming together to usher in a new sense of normalcy and a newfound status quo.”
The event will kick off with a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. on Thursday. An interactive children’s art project will be led by Andy and Valerie Clark, founders of Marshall’s Art Camp on the Island. Saturday’s events will coincide with the town of Hot Springs’ Town and Trail Fest. The Marshall Magic Market, on Saturday, will showcase a variety of locally made goods, with artisans, makers, farmers and musicians. “We are fortunate to have artists and artisans from Marshall High Studios in attendance and sharing their skills and artistry,” says Osherow.
Mad Co. Brewery on Main Street. Photo by Amanda Hilty
Music will be central to the weekend as well, including an outdoor concert on Saturday on Jerry Plemmons Way, featuring performances by bands such as Subject to Change, Monster Wave and Paint Rock. “From bluegrass to surf rock and everything in between, local talent will be on display in Marshall’s bars and restaurants,” Osherow says.
The festival not only celebrates Marshall’s cultural assets but also highlights the resilience of its businesses. “The many ways in which Marshall businesses have dug themselves out of the mud and rebuilt is just one testament to the resilience of our community,” says Kate Sonoskus, president of the Downtown Marshall Association. She points to the recovery efforts of businesses like Shady Side Florist, which resumed delivering flowers just weeks after the flood, and OasisLtd. Records, which has been operating out of a donated shipping container while their original location is being rebuilt.
Sonoskus also notes the creative improvements made by businesses like Mal’s Bar, which redesigned their layout to include a stage, seating and a space for dancing. “There will certainly be more empty storefronts than we’re used to,” she says, “but we’re optimistic they will be filled with even more wonderful, creative, community-minded projects from the people who make Marshall so magical.”
For more information, email ILoveMarshallNC@gmail.com.
I grew up in Marshall and we drove to Marshall to see the damage of my home town three weeks after the hurricane. I was almost as devastated as the town of Marshall. I cried all the way home. I am going to be at the event Marshall Magic and I will be crying for a different reason. My tears will be tears of happiness and pride in the town that I grew up in. I can’t wait.