The Grand Marshal is usually someone who has put Owensboro on the national map in a positive way or someone that has been a huge community leader and supporter. Sometimes, we’re fortunate to attract a national celebrity.
Past Grand Marshals for the Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade include:
2023 – Heath and Molly Eric, The Eric Group
2022 – Claud Porter, Daviess County Attorney
2019 – Our Local World War II Veterans
2018 – Katie Bouchard, Miss Kentucky 2018
2017 – Kevin Olusola, 3x Grammy Award winning musician
2016 – Houston Hogg, Foster parent and former UK football player
2015 – Florence Henderson, Television icon and Owensboro native
2014 – Diane Earle, local pianist and professor of music at Kentucky Wesleyan College
2013 – Jenny Beth Willis, local singer
2012 – The family of Joe Lowe, local radio personality, Monster Jam announcer
2011 – Wendell H. Ford, Former Governor of Kentucky and United States Senator
2010 – The five college university and college presidents and directors: Dr. Pamela Moon with Daymar College; Reverand Larry Hostetter with Brescia University; Dr. Cheryl D. King with Kentucky Wesleyan Collage: Jim Klauber with Owensboro Community and Technical College; and Gerald E. Tice with Western Kentucky University Owensboro Campus
2009 – Owensboro Sister Cities / Regions Board of Directors
2008 – Keith Lawrence, Columnist with the Messenger-Inquirer
2007 – Martha Clark & Mary Ann Smith Edge, Founders of Owensboro Impact 100 Chapter
2006 – Zev Buffman – President / CEO RiverPark Center
2005 – Kirk Kirpatrick – President of Wax Works-Video Works, Community Volunteer, Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Master of Ceremonies
2004 – James & Julie White – Founders of Music at Maple Mount and music educators
2003 – Beverly “Goldie” Payne, Owner of Goldie’s Best Little Opry House in Kentucky
2002 – Joel Utley, coach Ray Harper & Kentucky Wesleyan College Men’s Basketball Team
2001 – Darrell Waltrip, Owensboro native and NASCAR legend
2000 – Brad Wilkerson, Apollo High School Baseball Standout, Olympic Gold Medalist in Baseball
1999 – Elmo of Sesame Street fame
1998 – Alma Randolph, gospel singer & Founder of Alma Randolf Charitable Foundation.