Derek Roland, Macon County’s departing County Manager, is this year’s Grand Marshal. Roland has served as County Manager for the past 11 years, beginning his tenure at 28 years old. While County Manager, Roland led the county by completing $150 million in capital improvements, rebuilding the county’s reserve fund, increasing county employee’s salaries to be competitive with surrounding communities – all without increasing Macon County’s tax rate. Roland considers one of his greatest accomplishments as County Manager was to help stabilize the area’s workforce.
Parade entries will line up along Church Street behind the courthouse. The route will begin by pulling out on the top of Town Hill beside Town Hall. The route will proceed down Main Street, turning left at the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company onto Porter Street. Then it will turn left onto Palmer Street. The route will end at the intersection of the Highlands Road and Main Street.
Parade participants will again be able to have folks walk beside their float/entry handing out candy. No candy can be thrown from a moving vehicle. In addition, all horses must wear a manure bag/horse diaper.