Old Fashion Days – Grand Marshal History
Anne Stephens
Ashland Beacon
It is time for the 58th year of Greenup’s Fall Festival known as Old Fashion Days! The math is a bit difficult because there are records that show 1966 as the first year of the festival; but the Grand Marshal records only date back to 1971. Since I was a child at that time and Mattie Coldiron isn’t here to explain it, I can’t document the timeline exactly. But I can share the history I have and add to it each year.
I love to read over the names of past Grand Marshals. Growing up in downtown Greenup with family members who were longtime Greenup residents, I knew or “knew of” each one of these people. They were business owners, community leaders, and supporters of all things Greenup. Being honored as a Grand Marshal has always included an introduction at the Opening Ceremony and riding as lead in the big parade on Saturday.
The Grand Marshal selection process is not easy. After this many years, most everyone who has owned a business downtown and contributed to the event has been honored. There are, of course, many former GM’s who were not business owners but that criteria will always be part of the history because of the original Greenup Merchant’s Association that started the festival. Significant community leaders can also be found on the list because they also play a part in shaping the culture of the community.
For 2024, the Grand Marshals are Bambi Reed and Anne Stephens – the Co-Chairs of Greenup Old Fashion Days. The committee chose to honor the chairs because they stepped up to keep the event running after the unexpected passing of the longtime and much-loved event chair, Mattie Coldiron. Yes, I am partly writing about myself…but I am going to take the opportunity to say more about my friend and event co-chair, Bambi Reed. (I can do that because this is my column. LOL)
Bambi Reed is a current business owner in downtown Greenup and a member of the City of Greenup Business Association. She founded Reed Funeral Home with her husband, Roger who passed away in 2016. Bambi and her children, Crockett, Wade, and Cassie run the business and continue to honor Roger and his community-minded reputation in all that they do. Crocket and his wife Sara have a son, Miles. Cassie and her husband Aaron have two children, Weston and Amelia. Wade and his wife Payton have obvious favorite uncle and aunt status with the little ones. They are all an example of a family who works together and plays together.
The entire Reed family can always be seen taking part in every community event. They relate to farm life, work life, sports life, school life, church life, family life, and because of their business, death – which is also a part of life. The life of a funeral director does not present itself on a schedule. Being there for a family in the time of death is hard. Some deaths are celebrations of a wonderful life, and some are tragic and horrific. The job of the funeral home is difficult and one of great importance. Respect and compassion are always required. This takes its toll, but the strength of the family and professionalism is evident when you know the Reed family. I am proud to say that I know them, and I am happy that they are my friends.
Bambi is not a public person. She is a quiet, smart, beautiful, caring, and sincere person. You won’t find her on social media but if you spend time with her in person, you’ll quickly learn that she is fun and loves to laugh. She has high expectations for her work and her volunteer responsibilities. I have pushed her to do more public things and couldn’t be prouder to serve as Old Fashion Days Co-Grand Marshal with my friend, Bambi Reed. Thank you to the OFD committee for choosing us – we are truly honored.
1971 Jesse Wright and Ernie Gee
1972 Sam Leslie
1973 Dave Myers
1974 J W Harrell
1975 Ernie West
1976 Jesse Stuart
1977 Moody Bowling
1978 Jim Doran
1979 Oscar Sammons
1980 Horace “Happy” Thomas
1981 Florence Liles
1982 Hal Murphy
1983 Lillian Applegate
1984 Estill Bailey
1985 Naomi Davis
1986 Dr. Charles Conley
1987 J T Lawson
1988 Harold Miller
1989 Joe Kendall
1990 Edith Bailey Fritz
1991 Don Holt
1992 Burtee Hall
1993 Thurman Archey
1994 Jeffrey Elswick
1995 Susan Holt
1996 Tivis Potter
1997 Dave Holten
1998 Mark Justice WLGC
1999 *Did not have one/Millen?
2000 Nancy Crump
2001 Ethel McBrayer
2002 Dorothy/Raymond Griffith
2003 David Stultz
2004 Mattie Coldiron
2005 Mike Worthington
2006 Kenny Imel
2007 Neil Wright
2008 Vance Huston
2009 Charlie Osborne
2010 Joe Quillen
2011 Lou Nichols
2012 Jim Archey
2013 Gary Cremeans
2014 Pam Jordan
2015 Tonya Pullin
2016 Greenup Baseball Team
2017 Harold Rice
2018 Cathie Shaffer
2019 Tom Melvin
2020 Didn’t Have OFD
2021 Mattie Coldiron’s Family
2022 Ann Townsend & Freida Harmon
2023 Robert “Bobby” Carpenter
2024 Anne Stephens & Bambi Reed
For more information, contact Anne Stephens, Agent for Community Arts and Development in Greenup County. 606-836-0201 anne.stephens@uky.edu 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland, KY 41144 The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND KENTUCKY COUNTIES, COOPERATING
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