Draft:New Albany Founders Day

The New Albany Founders Day festival is an annual event held in New Albany, Ohio, attended by more than 7,000 people each year. The festival has been held at several locations throughout the city but it moved to its current home in Rose Run Park in 2021.

History
The New Albany Founders Day festival was started by the New Albany Historical Society in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration. The event has continued on in celebration of the founders' development of the area now known as Plain Township and the City of New Albany and is funded by donations from the community.

Parade
The New Albany Founders Day festival is preceded by a parade, which was named after seven-term New Albany Councilman Dr. Glyde Marsh in 2019. Marsh died unexpectedly 2 days before his 100th birthday in 2018 and was Grand Marshal of the parade with his late wife, Margaret, in 1994.

Grand Marshals
Each year, members of the New Albany community are selected to be grand marshals of the Dr. Glyde A. Marsh New Albany Founders Day Parade.
 * 2023: Dennis and Teresa Keesee
 * 2022: Colleen Briscoe
 * 2020-2021: State Champion Girls Golf Teams, Boys Doubles Tennis, Boys Baseball Team, and Girls Swim and Dive Team​
 * 2019: Dave and Ronda Anderson
 * 2018: Chief John Hoovler
 * 2017: Harry and Phyllis Sage
 * 2016: Mayor Nancy Ferguson
 * 2015: Robert and Debbie Dean
 * 2014: Eileen Leuby
 * 2013: Virginia McVay
 * 2012: Helen Pestel
 * 2011: Marjorie Bevelhymer
 * 2010: Mike Brown
 * 2009: Wib and Janet Kindler
 * 2008: Kathy and Jim Mayhorn
 * 2007: Nancy and Tom Marasek
 * 2006: Iva and Robert Sammons
 * 2005: Don and Carol Shoemaker
 * 2004: Steve and Valerie Bevelhymer
 * 2003: Ileane and Bob Dickendesher
 * 2003: Ileane and Bob Dickendesher
 * 2002: Kenny and Norma Massey
 * 2001: Margie and Rollie Pestel
 * 2000: Rudy and Elaine Sever, Linda Martin, Donna Hammes, and Lillian Shannon
 * 1999: Pat and Willard Zarley
 * 1998: Bob and Millie Goodrich
 * 1997: Naomi and Jim Fodor
 * 1996: Dr. John and Marilyn Saveson
 * 1995: Helen Garrabrant, Evelyn Swickard, and William and Margaret Harrington (Honorary)
 * 1994: Glyde and Margaret Marsh
 * 1993: Chief Bernie Obert and Donna Obert
 * 1992: Edith Yank and Oma Wickiser
 * 1991: Fern Kennaw
 * 1990: Clark and Evelyn Cubbage
 * 1989: Herschel and Alice Boesch
 * 1988: Cecil and Arloia Walton
 * 1987: Aziel Shockley, Blanche Fravel, Walter and Bernadine Daily, and Jerry Cheeseman (Honorary)
 * 1986: Kenny and Florence Bevelhymer
 * 1985: Ethel Schleppi (100 years old)
 * 1984: Herman and Lucille Herb
 * 1983: Sled and Josie Garner
 * 1982: Clare Taylor and Martha Ranney
 * 1981: Ora Doran, Chester Doran, and Hazel Dawson
 * 1980: Theresa Tiega (present queen), Christie Lowe (future queen), and Nellie Davis (past queen)
 * 1979: Willis Doran and Jimmy Doran
 * 1978: Lizzie Swickard, Ethel Schleppi, and Nina Estle
 * 1977: Congressman John M. Ashbrook
 * 1976: Congressman Samuel L. Devine, Clark and Martha Ranney

Community Connection Award
The New Albany Founders Day Community Connection Award was established in 2008 to recognize and showcase the outstanding work and services performed by an area non-profit civic group that serves our community and the surrounding area.
 * 2022: Celebrating One
 * 2020-2021: New Albany Safety Town
 * 2019: New Albany Theatre Boosters
 * 2018: New Albany Food Pantry
 * 2017: Lettuce Work
 * 2018: New Albany Food Pantry
 * 2016: Rocky Fork Metro Park
 * 2015: New Albany Kiwanis and Key Club
 * 2014: New Albany Chamber of Commerce
 * 2013: New Albany Arts Council
 * 2012: New Albany 4-H Club
 * 2011: Special Connections
 * 2010: Plain Township Bicentennial
 * 2009: New Albany Women’s Network
 * 2008: New Albany Lions Club

2021
After being canceled in 2020 and delayed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was hosted in August and coincided with the dedication of the new Rose Run Park.

2022
In 2022, the festival hosted a beer garden which was the first use of the City of New Albany's recently established Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).