Grand Marshal Nominations for Poolesville Day Open

By Link Hoewing

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In 1992, Poolesville held its first “Poolesville Day”. The event was a small affair, but it
continued to be held each year, growing in size and in the number of vendors,
entertainment venues, and attendees.

Every year since that time – until the pandemic struck – Poolesville has observed its
annual festival, celebrating the Poolesville, its residents and the communities in the
Western County of which it is a part. This year, Poolesville Day will happen again on
September 19th from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with activities, vendors and music
spread from one end of Fisher Avenue at the Elementary School to the “Historic West
End” with the Electric Vehicle Show, Class Car Show and agricultural and farming tents
and displays, as well as food, dancers and bands at Whalen Commons.

A hallmark of Poolesville Day has always been its parade down Poolesville’s “main
street” Fisher Avenue, beginning at Poolesville Elementary School and ending at the
corner of intersection of Fisher Avenue and Elgin Road. Leading the parade has always
been the “Grand Marshal”, a person or group nominated by the citizens who symbolizes
community involvement, leadership and commitment to bettering our community

 

Grand Marshals are selected by the Poolesville Day Committee from nominations
submitted by residents. The Committee uses a set of guidelines to consider the
nominations and asks those submitting the name of a person or organization to be
Grand Marshal to “describe a specific act or acts (personal or civic) of outstanding
service which has been generally recognized as placing the individual or group
(nominated) in a category well above others for sustained and distinguished service and
commitment to the town of Poolesville and its surrounding areas.” These guidelines
make it clear that this process is not a popularity contest but instead is focused on a
person who has given above and beyond themselves to better out community..

 

It is important to note that the guidelines do not specify that any person or organization
nominated has to live in Poolesville or its surrounding areas. The nomination is focused
rather on what the person or organization has contributed to the health and well-being
of the Poolesville area. It is possible, for example, that a county or state official who
does not live in our area may have done a lot to make the lives of citizens in the
Poolesville area better, for example by introducing and passing legislation that is
extremely beneficial to all of us.

Interestingly, not all nominees for Grand Marshal have been individuals. A number of
organizations involved in community service in the Poolesville area have been
nominated in the past. Jake Perkins, a founder of Poolesville Day and its leader for
many years until his death in 2007, was posthumously named Grand Marshal and his

Aunt and Uncle appeared in the parade in his place. Grand Marshals have come from
every walk of life including businesses, community leaders, and even organizations.

 

Here is the list of people or organizations who have been selected for Grand Marshal,
going all the way back to 2004:

Brenda Murtha Girl Scout Leader, Church Youth Leader 2025
Brice Halbrook Former Chair of Poolesville Day, WUMCO 2024

Board, Former Commissioner, Business Owner

Kenny Mallow Local Contractor 2023
Rande Davis and Publisher, The Monocle, Local Historian; 2022
Amar Duggirala Local Physician, Chair, Sustainable Poolesville

Valaree Dickerson Former Commissioner, Local Activist, 2021 Started Local Toy Drive

Pandemic No Poolesville Day Event 2020
Gwendora Reese Historian, Founder Sugarland Ethno- 2019 History Project

Link Hoewing Past Commissioner, PTSA Leader 2018
Jerry Klobukowski Commissioner, Education Liaison 2017
Tim Pike and Margaret Local Business Owners 2016 Valega
Grace Sheppard Elementary School Teacher 2015
George Hillard Fire Chief 2014
Maggie Nightingale Local Activist for Poolesville’s Library 2013
Jim Brown Commissioner, Local Business Leader 2012
Ray Hoewing Long Time Local Activist 2011

Jane Stearns Founder of Local Charity WUMCO 2010
Betty Jean and Roy Long Time Owners of Local Grocery 2009 Selby
Odd Fellows Lodge Local Charitable Services Group 2008 Poolesville
Judy and David Feigin Aunt and Uncle of Jake Perkins 2007
Mary Chiswell Teacher, Oldest Poolesville Resident 2006
State Leaders of the Local Charitable Services Groups 2005 Lions Club, Odd Fellows, American Legion
Earl Moore (UMCVD Police and Fire Leaders 2004 Chief) and Sgt. Frank Brown (MCPD, County Police, Fifth District)

 

The Poolesville Day Committee welcomes nominations for this important position.
Nominations will be accepted starting on July 1 st and ending on July 28 th . Entry
forms will be available on the Committee web site during that time and can be
submitted directly on the site. The web address is http://www.poolesvilleday.com .