2014 Grand Marshals

Each year the Beef Days Committee selects 3 Grand Marshals for the celebration and honors them by having them in the parade.  (See more information below.)

Click here for parade information.

Beef Days Grand Marshall Dan Smith
Beef Days Grand Marshall: Dan Smith
Celebrity Grand Marshall: Mark Sovers
Celebrity Grand Marshall: Mark Sovers
Corner Stone Grand Marshall: Sandy Hanson
Corner Stone Grand Marshall: Sandy Hanson

Beef Days Grand Marshall Dan Smith

Dan Smith has been chosen as this year’s Solon Beef Days Grand Marshall of the 2014 Celebration.

Dan’s involvement of the Beef Day’s Committee began in the 70’s as parade chairman.  Dan held that role for several years and also served and committee
co-chair for 2 years.  Dan notes that he fondly remembers the Beef Days of yesteryear.
Dan is currently serving his 40th year as a member of the Solon Fire Department with 17 of those years (1996-2013) as fire chief.  Dan is recently retired his position a
battalion chief for the City of Iowa Fire Department.  Dan notes he is enjoying the pace of retirement.
Dan and his wife, Barb, have three children, Sarah Drea (Dave), Kristen Goldsberry (Ty) and Abbe Gravert (Jeremy) and four grandchildren, Merrick, Maddy, Grant and Shae.

 

Celebrity Grand Marshall Mark Sovers

Physical Education Teacher K-4 (19 years), Head Boys track and Field & Assistant Football coach

Mark is both honored and privileged to be the Varsity Boys track and field coach at Solon for the past 18 years. Over the years, the team has been very fortunate to represent Solon on and off the track – trying and show what a great community we live in.

Mark would like to thank the community for the big role they play in providing opportunities for the Spartans to have a very successful season this year. The opportunity to win a State Track title does not happen without a solid foundation and the efforts of great people. The community of Solon is a great example of this.

The athletes work extremely hard and are asked to make many sacrifices along the way. Mark thanks you for all that you do, not only the current athletes but graduated athletes as well. The success of the Spartans, an and off the field is truly about you.

 

Cornerstone Grand Marshall Sandy Hanson

Sandy has been chosen as this year’s Solon Beef Days Corner Stone Grand Marshall of the 2014 Celebration. This special recognition is awarded to Sandy for her involvement in community activities and events that have made a positive impact on the Solon community and surrounding area.

Calling Solon home since 1973, Sandy and husband Jerry live north of Solon on Hwy 1 and have hosted a 4th of July antique show for many years on their acreage. Sandy retired from the University of Iowa Hospitals after 50 years in pediatric nutrition research yet her work continues serving the Solon community. Sandy has been a volunteer at the Solon Library since 1996 and serves on the Library Foundation Board.

Sandy also serves on the Solon Historical Commission led the Solon Snapshots history book project recording history from 1850-1950. Sandy actively serves the senior community with her work on the Senior Advocates and Old Gold Dining. Sandy spearheaded the community into action and organized the Solon Food Pantry now open on Mondays in the Solon United Methodist Church. If that isn’t enough to keep a person busy, Sandy is also organizing an event to celebrate Solon’s 175th anniversary in September 2015.

Sandy and Jerry’s family includes: sons Dave (Laurie)Eash, Duane (Georgia) Eash and daughter Kim Hertel (Steve Stone) and four grandchildren, Josh, Ezra, Jessica and Michelle.