The Findlay Market Association is the proud sponsor of the 94st Opening Day Parade, and with the cooperation of the Cincinnati Reds, is proud to announce the Grand Marshal and Dignitaries of this years parade.
2013 Findlay Market Parade Grand Marshal - George Foster: One of the Big Red Machine’s biggest offensive threats, George Foster lead the league in RBI for 3 straight years (1976-'78), in home runs for 2 years (1977-'78) and won the National League MVP in 1977 (.320, club-record 52 homers and 149 RBI). Foster spent 11 of his 18 major league seasons with the Reds. He finished his career as a five-time All Star and was the 1976 MLB All Star Game MVP. George was inducted in the Reds Hall of Fame in 2003 and remains active in the Greater Cincinnati community and with the Reds organization.
2013 Reds Player - Bronson Arroyo: Has twice been awarded the Johnny Vander Meer Award as the club's Most Outstanding Pitcher (2006, 2009). Bronson Arroyo was a 2006 All-Star and a 2010 Gold Glove Award winner. For the 2012 season he went 12 and 10 with a 3.74 ERA.
2013 Reds Player - Mat Latos: is in his second year with the Reds. For the 2012 season, he led the Reds with a W/L % of .778, going 14 and 4. He also led the way in strikeouts with 185, with 13 coming Jun 25 against the Milwaukee Brewers for a 3-1 win.
2013 Dignitary - CW3 S. Allen Hartley: In the photo to the right is S. Allen Hartley (left) in Afghanistan (2005) standing in front of his Apache Longbow Helicopter with co-pilot/gunner, Shannon Sloan (right).
I joined the US Army in April of 1987 when I was a Junior in High School. I was in the Army Reserve here in Cincinnati from then until 1992 when I finished my Bachelor's Degree from the University of Cincinnati.
I did a few more assignments while in the Reserves until 1997 when I went on Active Duty to become an Army Aviator. I completed flight training, as a Warrant Officer, in the Apache in September of 1999 at Fort Rucker, Alabama. My first assignment was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). I deployed to Iraq with them for the invasion as a Dual Seat Pilot in Command & qualified Air Mission Commander. I experienced lots of "high adventure" in Iraq but I made it almost a year without any injuries.
In 2004, I transferred to the 11th Aviation Regiment, 2nd Squadron of the 6th Cavalry in Illeshiem, Germany. I deployed to Afghanistan with them in 2005. I injured my back during several hard brownout landings, but continued to fly hurt for 9 months. On 5 November 2005 my back told me otherwise & my last landing caused 2 discs to rupture & my legs went completely numb. I had to pulled out of the cockpit at medically evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany for surgery and rehabilitation.
Neither worked & the nerve damage deteriorated so badly that I now need a wheelchair to ambulate if going over a few short steps. My right leg is completely unusable & the left is weak. I loved my job as an Apache Longbow Helicopter Pilot & wouldn't trade the experience for anything, even with the injury I received due to a combination of enemy contact & hard landings. I am now permanently disabled and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW3) on 29 May 2008.
Today, I live with my wife of 17 years, Becky Wirsch, & my 9 year old son, Connor, in Fairfield, Ohio. Without their undying love & support I would never have made it through my ordeal. They are my Saints.
2013 Dignitary - Father of LCpl Taylor B. Prazynski - My name is John Prazynski. I am the father of Lance Corporal (LCpl) Taylor B. Prazynski USMC Killed in Action 9 May 2005 Operation Iraqi Freedom, in the Al Anbar Provence, town called Kharma. He was with the 3rd Battalion/8th Marine Regiment, Lima Company, 4th Platoon, out of Camp Lejuene NC.
He was a 2003 graduate of Fairfield High School, Fairfield Ohio. Taylor was born at the medical center at Hill Air Force Base Utah, November 12th 1984. He lived in Utah 84/85. Then Chanute Air Force Base Illinois 1985 to 1989. He lived in Fairfield 1989 to the time he joined the United States Marine Corps, in 2003.
Taylor was an 0311, in the Marines, which is Infantry, more specific he was a SAW Gunner. Taylor was part of history as he and his Marine Unit stood
guard during the first election in Iraq's history January 2005, everyone remembers the photos of the purple fingers the Iraqi's held up as a sign of freedom identifying they voted. He worked with the developmentally handicapped kids when he was in high school. He joined the Marines because he felt he was called to do his part, and planned to go to college after his 4 years. Taylor is/was loved by many and missed by many. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
2013 Dignitaries - Impact A Hero: Impact A Hero provides immediate and ongoing emotional and financial support for our severely-wounded post-9/11 combat veterans and their families.
Under the official non-profit entity Impact Player Partners, Impact A Hero gives individuals and corporations a simple mechanism for providing maximum impact to those who have sacrificed for our freedoms.
Emotionally our wounded heroes need to know that every American appreciates the sacrifices our wounded heroes have made – it's our turn to fight for them. Financially our wounded heroes deserve every American's support to help pay for everyday living expenses, not to mention their new special needs such as retrofitting a house for a wheelchair.
If you would like to support Impact A Hero please visit their web site: ImpactAHero.org.
Anthony Muñoz (Position in the Parade TBA): First-round draft pick by Cincinnati Bengals and third overall pick in 1980, Anthony played 11 years in the NFL and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1998. He was named NFL’s Man of the Year in 1991, and his career as an All-Pro lineman earned him membership on the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994. In 2010, he was ranked No. 12 on the NFL Network's Top 100 players list and was the highest-ranked offensive lineman. In 2002, Anthony created the non-profit Anthony Muñoz Foundation, which works with Greater Cincinnati youth impacting them mentally, physically and spiritually. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $10 million for youth programs.
Anthony and his wife Dede have two children, Michael (wife, Emily) and Michelle (husband, Luke Trenz), and 6 grandchildren, all living in the Cincinnati area. He is a true family man, who also stays active in the community, sharing his persistent message to overcome adversity and give back. The former Cincinnati Bengals star has logged two decades of high-profile charitable work and youth advocacy since retiring from the game in 1992. A true hometown hero, Anthony continues to give his time and dedication to serving the youth of Greater Cincinnati. For more information, visit the Anthony Muñoz Foundation’s website: www.munozfoundation.org.
Watch for The Scott's Reds Rally Pack and The Reds Mascots: Gapper, Rosie Red, Mr. Red and Mr. Redlegs!The Scott's Reds Rally Pack has participated in the Opening Day Parade for the last 11 years. At Great American Ball Park they are responsible for spreading joy, and free tee shirts, to fans throughout the season.
5:00 am. WLW broadcasts from the Holy Grail on the banks
9:00 am. Streets in the Marshaling area closed. Entries may begin to arrive
10:00 am. Float Contest Registration
11:00 am. Float Contest Judging begins
12:00 noon Parade begins at Findlay Market
2:00 pm. Approximate ending time for Parade
Red's Fox Pre-Game Show
4:10 pm. Game time: Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Angels at Fifth and Broadway
Marshaling Area: North of Findlay Market: Race, Elm, Findlay, Elder and Henry Streets. (Detailed Map included in lineup packet)
De-Marshaling Area: On Fifth Street between Sycamore and Sentinel Streets near the Taft Theater
Parade Information: Approximately 1.5 miles; approximately 45 minutes marching time
Parade Route: South on Race from the Findlay Market staging area Left on Fifth Street past Fountain Square, ending at Fifth and Broadway
Weather: Unless the game is cancelled the parade goes on rain or shine
Parade Information: Will be posted here www.findlaymarketparade.com
Parade Chairman: Neil Luken of Bare's Meats in Findlay Market 513-721-6533 Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The Findlay Market Association is the proud sponsor of the 94st Opening Day Parade, and with the cooperation of the Cincinnati Reds, is proud to announce the Grand Marshal and Dignitaries of this years parade.
2013 Findlay Market Parade Grand Marshal - George Foster: One of the Big Red Machine’s biggest offensive threats, George Foster lead the league in RBI for 3 straight years (1976-'78), in home runs for 2 years (1977-'78) and won the National League MVP in 1977 (.320, club-record 52 homers and 149 RBI). Foster spent 11 of his 18 major league seasons with the Reds. He finished his career as a five-time All Star and was the 1976 MLB All Star Game MVP. George was inducted in the Reds Hall of Fame in 2003 and remains active in the Greater Cincinnati community and with the Reds organization.
2013 Reds Player - Mat Latos: is in his second year with the Reds. For the 2012 season, he led the Reds with a W/L % of .778, going 14 and 4. He also led the way in strikeouts with 185, with 13 coming Jun 25 against the Milwaukee Brewers for a 3-1 win.
I joined the US Army in April of 1987 when I was a Junior in High School. I was in the Army Reserve here in Cincinnati from then until 1992 when I finished my Bachelor's Degree from the University of Cincinnati.
I did a few more assignments while in the Reserves until 1997 when I went on Active Duty to become an Army Aviator. I completed flight training, as a Warrant Officer, in the Apache in September of 1999 at Fort Rucker, Alabama. My first assignment was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). I deployed to Iraq with them for the invasion as a Dual Seat Pilot in Command & qualified Air Mission Commander. I experienced lots of "high adventure" in Iraq but I made it almost a year without any injuries.
In 2004, I transferred to the 11th Aviation Regiment, 2nd Squadron of the 6th Cavalry in Illeshiem, Germany. I deployed to Afghanistan with them in 2005. I injured my back during several hard brownout landings, but continued to fly hurt for 9 months. On 5 November 2005 my back told me otherwise & my last landing caused 2 discs to rupture & my legs went completely numb. I had to pulled out of the cockpit at medically evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany for surgery and rehabilitation.
Neither worked & the nerve damage deteriorated so badly that I now need a wheelchair to ambulate if going over a few short steps. My right leg is completely unusable & the left is weak. I loved my job as an Apache Longbow Helicopter Pilot & wouldn't trade the experience for anything, even with the injury I received due to a combination of enemy contact & hard landings. I am now permanently disabled and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW3) on 29 May 2008.
Today, I live with my wife of 17 years, Becky Wirsch, & my 9 year old son, Connor, in Fairfield, Ohio. Without their undying love & support I would never have made it through my ordeal. They are my Saints.
He was a 2003 graduate of Fairfield High School, Fairfield Ohio. Taylor was born at the medical center at Hill Air Force Base Utah, November 12th 1984. He lived in Utah 84/85. Then Chanute Air Force Base Illinois 1985 to 1989. He lived in Fairfield 1989 to the time he joined the United States Marine Corps, in 2003.
Taylor was an 0311, in the Marines, which is Infantry, more specific he was a SAW Gunner. Taylor was part of history as he and his Marine Unit stood
guard during the first election in Iraq's history January 2005, everyone remembers the photos of the purple fingers the Iraqi's held up as a sign of freedom identifying they voted. He worked with the developmentally handicapped kids when he was in high school. He joined the Marines because he felt he was called to do his part, and planned to go to college after his 4 years. Taylor is/was loved by many and missed by many. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Under the official non-profit entity Impact Player Partners, Impact A Hero gives individuals and corporations a simple mechanism for providing maximum impact to those who have sacrificed for our freedoms.
Emotionally our wounded heroes need to know that every American appreciates the sacrifices our wounded heroes have made – it's our turn to fight for them. Financially our wounded heroes deserve every American's support to help pay for everyday living expenses, not to mention their new special needs such as retrofitting a house for a wheelchair.
If you would like to support Impact A Hero please visit their web site: ImpactAHero.org.
Anthony and his wife Dede have two children, Michael (wife, Emily) and Michelle (husband, Luke Trenz), and 6 grandchildren, all living in the Cincinnati area. He is a true family man, who also stays active in the community, sharing his persistent message to overcome adversity and give back. The former Cincinnati Bengals star has logged two decades of high-profile charitable work and youth advocacy since retiring from the game in 1992. A true hometown hero, Anthony continues to give his time and dedication to serving the youth of Greater Cincinnati. For more information, visit the Anthony Muñoz Foundation’s website: www.munozfoundation.org.
5:00 am. WLW broadcasts from the Holy Grail on the banks
9:00 am. Streets in the Marshaling area closed. Entries may begin to arrive
10:00 am. Float Contest Registration
11:00 am. Float Contest Judging begins
12:00 noon Parade begins at Findlay Market
2:00 pm. Approximate ending time for Parade
Red's Fox Pre-Game Show
4:10 pm. Game time: Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Angels at Fifth and Broadway
Marshaling Area: North of Findlay Market: Race, Elm, Findlay, Elder and Henry Streets. (Detailed Map included in lineup packet)
De-Marshaling Area: On Fifth Street between Sycamore and Sentinel Streets near the Taft Theater
Parade Information: Approximately 1.5 miles; approximately 45 minutes marching time
Parade Route: South on Race from the Findlay Market staging area Left on Fifth Street past Fountain Square, ending at Fifth and Broadway
Weather: Unless the game is cancelled the parade goes on rain or shine
Parade Information: Will be posted here www.findlaymarketparade.com
Parade Chairman: Neil Luken of Bare's Meats in Findlay Market 513-721-6533 Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.