Two retired Columbia firefighters who also have more than 100 years of combined volunteer service with the Boone County Fire Protection District will be the grand marshals for tomorrow (Saturday) morning’s Harrisburg Septemberfest parade.
The firefighters are John Timmermann and Loren Mueller. Mr. Timmermann tells 939 the Eagle News that it’s an honor:
“Something I didn’t really expect. Being a volunteer firefighter, to me it’s just I do and something I’ve done for several years,” Mr. Timmermann says.
As for Mr. Muller, it’s both emotional and nostalgic:
“Grew up there. In junior year of high school, got asked to join and I’ve been on ever since. Back then, we didn’t have many runs like we do now. We do a lot of medical calls now. We didn’t at the beginning,” says Mueller.
Both men have each been volunteering for more than 50 years each at fire station four in Harrisburg. First Responder Support (FRS) executive director Rick Rowden says FRS is incredibly grateful to Harrisburg Septemberfest for honoring the firefighters.
While both firefighters are grateful, they are downplaying being the grand marshals for the parade. Mr. Timmerman says he’s just trying to help people:
“I’m just kind of there to help neighbors so to speak. I think anybody would help a person across the street if they had an emergency. And that’s kind of what I do,” says Timmermann.
Mr. Mueller agrees, adding that he and John will see faces they haven’t seen for at least a year at Septemberfest:
“A lot of the graduates from our schools, they come back. A lot of them are out of state and this is an opportunity for them to come back and see one another,” Loren says.
The event begins this evening at 6 with the baby show. There is a pork steak dinner planned for tomorrow from 4-7 pm. It is sponsored by the Harrisburg booster club. Harrisburg Septemberfest coordinator John Spry tells 939 the Eagle that tomorrow morning’s parade begins at 10 at the high school:
“Sheriff’s patrol will be the road leader. And then John and Loren will be our grand marshal coming in there. And we’ll have the (Harrisburg) high school band do the national anthem (and) doing the flag-raising ceremonies,” Spry says.
Mr. Spry tells 939 the Eagle that there will also be a number of political candidates in the parade. He says the popular duck race is tomorrow at 3 pm:
“And you can win $1,000 if your duck comes out first. And so the kids really enjoy it. We’ve got four tanks of water that just swirl down and tries to get into the bottom pool. And the kids really like to watch their ducks just where they can come in there,” says Spry.
This is the 53rd year for Harrisburg Septemberfest, which started in 1971, which is when Harrisburg celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Click here to listen to 939 the Eagle news director Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Harrisburg Septemberfest parade grand marshals John Timmermann and Loren Mueller, along with Septemberfest coordinator John Spry:
