Following last week’s reveal of the 2024 Kaolin Festival theme, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Kaolin Festival Committee have now announced the Parade Grand Marshals.
As previously reported, this year’s theme will be “We Dig the 2000’s: Kaolin Proud.”
The 2024 installment of the annual Washington County event will celebrate and thank local law enforcement and first responders.
Honored as Grand Marshals, leading off the morning’s parade, will be a deserving cast of local heroes – many of whom have dedicated lifetimes of service to our local communities. The lineup includes:
~ Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran, who has served Washington County in law enforcement for 30 years, working 18 years as Tennille Police Chief and 5 years as Washington County Sheriff.
~ Washington County Emergency Management Agency Director Russell Riner, who has been serving the county for 44 years, 24 years as EMA Director and 21 years as Sandersville Fire Chief.
~ Emergency 911 Director Corey King – currently a Major at the Sheriff’s Office – has served Washington County for 22 years (3 years as 911 Director).
~ Washington County Emergency Services Director Michael Padgett who has worked for the community over 18 years (4 as EMS Director).
~ Sandersville Police Chief Victor Cuyler, who has served Washington County for 32 years, working 16 years as Police Chief. Cuyler previously served in the United States Marine Corps for 7 years and the National Guard for 1 year.
~ Davisboro Police Chief Larry Young has worked in the county for 4 years, 1 year as Police Chief. Young previously served in Jefferson County for 8 years.
~ Sandersville Fire Chief Jason Boatright, who has served Washington County for 29 years, working 1 year as Fire Chief and 6 years as Rescue Chief.
~ Davisboro Fire Chief William Alligood has worked for the community over 30 years, 28 years as Fire Chief.
~ Deepstep Fire Chief Nathan Riner, who has served Washington County for 20 years, working 7 years as Fire Chief. Riner previously served as Interim Fire Chief of Sandersville, where he still acts as Assistant Chief.
~ Warthen Fire Chief Dwain McDonald has worked in the county for 49 years, 8 years as Fire Chief.
~ Harrison Fire Chief Daryl Lanier, who has served the community for 34 years, working 4 years as Harrison Chief. Lanier previously acted as Deepstep Fire Chief for 26 years.
~ Ohoopee Fire Chief Seth Young has worked in Washington County for 18 years, 3 years as Fire Chief.
~ Oconee Fire Chief Mark Stewart, who has served in the county for 18 years, 4 months as Fire Chief.
~ Tennille Fire Chief Lee Strickland has served Washington County for 45 years, 32 years as Fire Chief.
~ Riddleville Fire Chief Mark Cabe, who has worked in the community for 35 years, 1 year as Fire Chief. Cabe has also served as a Trooper with the Georgia State Patrol for 20 years.
“This year is all things red, white, and blue,” said Katie Moncus, President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. “We are so thankful for those who serve our country and community, and for the Kaolin Industry that has given us so much!”
Like last year, the 2024 Kaolin Festival will be a one-day event with excitement unfolding all day in Downtown Sandersville on the Courthouse Square.
The Kaolin Parade will again run up Highway 15 from the Washington County High School to the historic Sandersville School, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Parade, vendor, and Class Reunion Row applications are now available online HERE, at the Chamber of Commerce (603 South Harris Street), or by calling 478-552-3288.
The Kaolin Festival will be held on Saturday, October 12.
