MARION (WSIL) -- The community came out strong for the Marion United Celebration in downtown.
During the event on Saturday, attendees were able to shop local vendors that lined the town square and grab a bite to eat from restaurants and food trucks.
One of the organizers, Josh Benitone, believes a few thousand people came and went throughout the six-hour event.
"It was absolutely incredible," he says. "All night, the buzz was so positive."
Several local musicians performed including Ethan Taylor, Ben Ottolini, Matt Decker, Hannah Herron, Heather Hammers, Jeremy T. McConaughey and Matt Basler.
However, a big draw to the event was a time to honor the Marion High School Seniors.
A video ceremony played on a big screen in the square with local leaders such as Mayor Mike Absher praising their efforts, as well as, acknowledgment from a few celebrities.
Those include former talk show host Kathie Lee Gifford and Brian Welch, who was the guitarist for the rock band 'Korn.'
Benitone says parents, friends and neighbors also cheered on the graduates as they appeared in the video walking across the stage and receiving their diplomas.
"Getting to see some of them do the speeches that they missed out on, it felt like in a small way as a city a way to give them this back," Benitone explains. "It meant the world to them and it was cool to see and be a part of it. "
The Marion United organization was as a way to raise money for small businesses struggling during the pandemic.
Now, it seems organizers will have to start planning for another future event to bring neighbors together once again.
"People are asking what's next; how can we come together as a community," Benitone recalls about the evening. "I love it. It represented everything that we are believing for in our city."
