Festival is June 5-6 at Central Park

Chingawassa is an Osage Indian word that means “Handsome Bird.”

Chingawassa should be the word for “community.”

Community sponsors have been an intricate part of the Chingawassa Days festival since it began 13 years ago.

Marion National Bank has been one of those community sponsors, supporting the festival since day one.

Organizers of Chingawassa Days asked Marion National Bank in 1996 to consider participating in the new festival. They told the bank the festival needed an anchor event and a business to lead those efforts.

It was determined the bank would provide a hog roast with pork sandwiches, pork and beans and chips, which was and still is included with the price of a general admission button.

Since that time, bank officers and management has changed but the commitment has not.

Each year, the bank serves between 1,000 and 1,200 people the first night of the festival, kicking off a weekend of fun and music.

So, how does Marion National Bank, with only a half-a-dozen employees of their own, serve more than 1,000 people in a relatively short period of time?

“We rely on the entire MNB family,” said Jim Hefley, bank president, referring to employees, spouses, and children.

During the years, methods have been developed to streamline serving and to accommodate lines of hungry festival-goers.

It is common for people to begin lining up 30 minutes before the serving time.

In addition to providing a free meal, bank employees also have supported the festival by participating in bed races.

“It’s important for us to give back to the community and help Marion grow,” Hefley said.

Marion National Bank Vice President Don Noller said Chingawassa Days is good for the community.

“It helps all businesses and helps to build the community,” he said.

This year, bank officials are excited about having headliners Friday night and Saturday night, and anticipate an even larger crowd for the popular Friday night meal.

“Even when the weather was inclement, we still had a good turnout,” Hefley said.

The festival is more than promoting the community just once a year.

Hefley said the bank had visitors who asked about the concrete rhinoceros at various businesses. When they were told about Chingawassa Days, the visitors said they probably would return to Marion specifically for the festival.

“We do a lot of great things in this community and we sometimes forget about them,” Hefley said. He continued that he always considered Chingawassa Days as “Marion’s answer to Wichita’s River Festival.”

He and Noller encourage other businesses and individuals to become volunteers and get involved in the festival and other community events.

They also expressed their appreciation to the Chingawassa Days committee members for their dedication and service.

“Community involvement and support makes it successful year after year,” Hefley said. “Marion National Bank looks forward to being involved with Chingawassa Days for a long time.”

Button information

Buttons for all activities during the two-day festival are $25 and available at Marion National Bank, Central National Bank in Marion and Hillsboro, Marion Healthmart Pharmacy, City of Marion, Marion Chamber of Commerce, Western Associates, Carlsons’ Grocery, Tampa State Bank, and G&J Video.