Nebraska Ag Connection - Grand Marshal Named for Nebraska State Fair

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Grand Marshal Named for Nebraska State Fair
Nebraska Ag Connection - 08/23/2019

Nebraska State Fair announced this year's Celebration Parade Grand Marshals. The Grand Marshal Program honors individuals who have made significant contributions within their county fair communities. As a salute to those who serve the country, an active member of the military has been chosen to help salute veterans on Labor Day.

"Each year, we select individuals who represent what it means to be dedicated to agriculture and their community," said Chelsey Jungck, State Fair chief of events andeEntertainment. "These individuals continually go above and beyond and are worthy of our appreciation and distinction."

Grand Marshals are selected through a nomination process and are honored one day at the Fair.

Following is a list of the grand marshals:

Aug. 24: Jerry Fitzgerald, Gering

Jerry served on the State Fair Board for many years and was a key player in moving the State Fair from Lincoln to Grand Island. As the Chairman of the State Fair in 2009, Jerry was instrumental in the construction of five buildings for Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. In 2013, Jerry was recognized as the Friend of 4-H for his years of volunteering at the 4-H Livestock Sale and his crucial contributions in the design and building of the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds livestock pavilion.

Aug. 25: Jimmy Marak, Osceola

Jimmy served on the Polk County Agricultural Society for more than 45 years. He was instrumental in building Ag Hall, Pinnacle Show Arena as well as the replacement of the grandstand bleachers at Nebraska State Fair. He has been a 4-H leader and the leader of the local Saddle Club. The Saddle Club was active in organizing and competing in local horse shows and rodeos, as well as providing entertainment for area parades.

Aug. 26: Brian and Ann Marie Bosshamer, Amherst

Brian was an extension educator for Buffalo County and the leader of the 4-H program in Amherst, Neb. for more than 20 years. He was instrumental in implementing Lamb Camp, Life on the Farm and the Lottery Pig Show. Ann Marie volunteered countless hours coordinating and announcing at the Market and Class Shows for the Buffalo County Fair. The Bosshamers are involved with the 4-H sale committee at Nebraska State Fair as well as the Cattlemen's Classic and Gateway Farm Expo.

Aug. 27: Jon and DeAnn Epley, Fullerton

DeAnn was the office manager for the Nance County Extension for more than 35 years. Jon was instrumental in the development of the Shooting Sports Program for the Nance County community. Over the years, Jon and DeAnn have volunteered numerous hours helping with 4-H and the food stand at the Nance County Fair. In addition to their work with 4-H, the Epleys were founding members of the Nance County Veterans Memorial and Museum.

Aug. 28: Jess and Marilyn Johnson, Lincoln

For the past 39 years, Jess and Marilyn Johnson have coordinated all supply requirements for the many competitive and livestock disciplines at Nebraska State Fair. Also, Marilyn has volunteered to help at the Lancaster County Fair for at least one day each year and continues to volunteer wherever help is needed to promote educational and agricultural programs in Lancaster County.

Aug 29: Oliver and Marjorie Johnson, Clarkson

Oliver has served on the Colfax County Ag Society for more than 20 years. He is a former 4-H leader and fair superintendent. Marjorie assists in the Open Class areas of the Colfax County Fair. The Johnsons are past Pioneer Farm Family Award recipients. They were members of the Clarkson Czech Dancers for almost 50 years, performing at the annual Clarkson Czech Day and other Czech celebrations.

Aug. 30: Richard and Marlene Hermelbracht, Bancroft, and Art and Arlene Rolf, West Point

Richard Hermelbracht has been involved with the county fair throughout his life. He has served on the Cuming County Ag Society for the past 41 years. For the past 41 years, Richard has been the person to open the gates of the Cuming County Fair at 6 a.m. He and Marlene hire and oversee the gate personnel for the fair. Richard is a veteran and Marlene is active in the American Legion Auxiliary.

Arlene Rolf served as the secretary of the Cuming County Ag Society for 40 years. Arlene was instrumental in the development of the Cuming County Fair Sponsorship Program which has grown from five sponsors to over 100. Arlene is a member of the Cuming County Fair Foundation Board, which helps promote and raise monies for capital improvements.

Art Rolf is an integral part of the daily operations of the Cuming County Fair and helps coordinate the setup and cleanup of the fair. During the fair, Art can be found from open to close at the front gate taking admission and greeting everyone with a smile.

Aug. 31: Steve and Jana Kruger, Arlington

Steve and Jana have served as horticulture superintendents at the Washington County Fair and Nebraska State Fair for 28 years. Steve has served on the State Fair board for 22 years, 14 of which were as president. Jana served nine years on the State Fair board, four of them as president. They originated the concept of the Grand Marshal Program at Nebraska State Fair.

Sept. 1: Jim and Sharon Specht, Hartington

Jim has served on the Cedar County Fair Board for more than 24 years and is currently the vice president of the Cedar County Ag Society. For the past 6 years, Sharon has been chairman of the Cedar County Open Class Division and the county fair pie contest. Both Jim and Sharon spend countless hours before the opening of the fair cleaning the barns, setting up rodeo equipment and printing premium books for the open class exhibits. In 2017 Jim was selected for the NAFM's Fair Person of the Year award. This past year, Sharon was selected as Cedar County Ag Society's Outstanding Volunteer.

Sept. 2: Major General Daryl Bohac, Lincoln

Major General Daryl L. Bohac serves as the Adjutant General, Nebraska National Guard in Lincoln, Neb. He is the senior uniformed National Guard officer responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating policies, programs, and plans impacting nearly 5,000 Army and Air National Guard personnel. He serves on the Governor's staff and is the Director of the Nebraska Military Department and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, respectively and serves as the state's official channel of communication with the National Guard Bureau to the Departments of the Army and Air Force.

"The grand marshal program is a long tradition for Nebraska State Fair, and we are proud of the outstanding individuals and families to honor each year," Jungck said.

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