Chamber Announces 37th Annual Christmas Parade Marshal

Bill Heins is the 37th Annual Christmas Parade Marshal

EMPORIA, KAN. – Bill Heins has been selected as Parade Marshal for the 37th Annual Community Christmas Parade hosted by the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau.  The Parade will be held downtown on Tuesday, November 27, 2012.

Parade Marshall is Bill Heins whom will have the honor of leading the parade. Bill is more than deserving of this honor since he has helped behind the scenes with the Christmas parade for 35 years!

Bill’s reaction to being asked: Extremely surprised and honored at being asked to be Parade Marshall… others are more worthy.

As for the Christmas Parade Float, Bill has helped prepare in some way the Chamber of Commerce Santa Float behind the scenes since year 2 of the parade. Officially getting on the parade committee in the mid 90’s. Since then his duty was to have the float ready for Santa to ride. Many years Bill’s family members assisted.

Bill worked for Westar Energy, first as a member of the line department obtaining position of journeyman lineman. He entered management in 1990 working various positions, retiring as Director, Operations, Emporia Division in march 2012 after a 37 ½ year career.

In retirement, Bill and wife Bunny enjoy family, spoiling grand-kids, traveling, working on his jeep hobby of off-road rock crawling. Living the dream!

This year’s theme is “Holly-Dazzle.”  The Dedication and Lighting Ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. in front of Cable ONE, 714 Commercial.  The Parade will follow at 7 p.m. at 4^th Avenue and proceed up Commercial St. to 12^th Ave.