Asbe is Grand Marshall for Festival parade

Every year for Festival in the Park in Clarion, a Grand Marshall is selected who has affected the community for the better. This year’s Grand Marshall is Duane Asbe—an individual who has given his work, time and resources continually and has made Clarion a better place than it was since he came to town in 1972.

“He is really concerned about the lives of the people in the community, and is more than willing to do whatever he can to promote the well-being of not only the community but the individuals,” said Jerry Boyington, who serves with Duane in the Lions Club. “He’s a good person to call a friend.”

Duane’s been part of Clarion long enough to remember when the first “Day of Music,” now Festival in the Park, was planned after the park gazebo was restored in 1979 by Dr. Young. He doesn’t think there’s been a year he’s not been part of the Festival since, whether it was helping out with the Jaycees’ dunk tank, participating on the float for the First National Bank, or more recently slinging burgers in the Lions Club food tent.

“I’ve always been involved in the Festival, even if it’s just being with one of the vendors,” he said.

When informed by the Clarion Chamber that he had been chosen to be Grand Marshall for the festival this year, Duane said he felt very honored.

“There’s a lot of deserving people in the community,” he said. “I feel humbled to be part of a very select group.”

For the full story, see the June 8 edition of the Monitor.