The Marion Popcorn Festival annually gives out awards for the best entries in the parade. The winners of the 2012 Marion Popcorn Festival Parade awards are:
Civic
- Marion Correctional Institution
- North Central Correctional Complex
Commercial
- Primrose Retirement Communities
- Lowes
Industrial
- ConAgra
- Silverline
Youth, professionally trained
- Diverse Moves Dance Studio
- Douce Dance Studios
Youth
- Marion City Schools
- Heritage Christian School
Marching Units
- Harding Marching Band
- Pleasant Marching Band
Religious
- Crosswood United Methodist Church
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Animals
- Marion County 4-H
- Steve Wickersham
Best Professionally Built Float – ConAgra
Best Hand-Crafted Float – Primrose Retirement Communities
Best of Parade, Crowd Pleaser – Marion Correctional Institution