A thank you to the
City of Geneva
Geneva Chamber of Commerce
Geneva Business Community

My feelings on being chosen for the Grand Marshal of the Swedish Days parade are many. I am humbled to be following in the footsteps of some very special people, grateful to have had the opportunity to work with remarkable people throughout my 45 years, and elated that you are allowing this crazy guy, who dresses up in costumes and roams the streets pass-ing out gold coins, Hershey’s Kisses, Easter eggs, and hugs, to be your Grand Marshal in the very special Swedish Days parade.

The people of Geneva have created a unique, one-of-a-kind town. The Chamber and their many volunteers have made events like Swedish Days, Festival of the Vine, the Art Show, and the Christmas Walk huge successes.

The Chamber calls this town a “picture postcard”. The Fox River, State and Third Streets are picturesque, but it’s the hearts of the all the small businesses that beat behind that picture postcard look. It’s the hearts of the people who came here because they knew Geneva was unique and a good place to put down business roots. They put their hearts and finances into making it work. Each in their own way, doing their own thing so that when you look behind the picture postcard, there are the hearts and hopes of people who care about the city.

I learned a long time ago that the success of anything is built on the efforts of many people who do not always get the credit they deserve. Thank you for the honor of representing all of those hearts and hopes in this year’s Swedish Days parade.