PAST Grand Marshals-

2007 Jon "Pappy" Moore

Mr. Moore owned Pappy's Barbecue on North Main street from 1978 until 1987. He entered the very first Springfield St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1981, pulling his smoker behind a riding lawnmower! He has been in the parade in some shape of form every years since. Affectionately known as "Pappy" to family, friends, and customers alike, Moore has been instrumental over the years in helping the parade grow, and in attracting more and more people to the event, including the Springfield Rugby team. "Pappy" currently works and lives on the family farm in Republic.

2006 Ken Knauer

Mr. Knauer is one of the long time standard bearers of the rag-tag marching group, "The Independent Marching Band & Kazoo Society", whose motto has always been: "We are not entirely serious!" The Independent Marching Band is best known by veteran parade goers for its "Dying Cockroach" maneuver.
Knauer has been an active supporter of the parade since its inception in 1980, and the Parade Committee is pleased to honor him for that support.

2005 The Garbonzos

The Garbonzos, a well known Springfield band since the 1970's also marched in the first Springfield St. Patrick's Day Parade 25 years ago. At that time the band marched with a bunch of self-described misfits form SMSU calling themselves the SMSU Independent Marching Band. The parade that year (1981) began on South Avenue and ended at the Buffalo Bar on Commercial Street.
The Garbonzos have been in every parade from the beginning, and it is with great pleasure that the parade committee names the band as Grand Marshal for the 25th edition of the Parade.

2004 Bob Bryant

Bryant is a partner in the advertising firm Meridian Creative Alliance. He is a long-time supporter of downtown’s everywhere, and currently serves on the board of Springfield Landmarks Preservation Trust, which is currently renovating the historic Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield.

Bryant has served on the parade committee for many years, and was responsible for dubbing the event “The Peoples Parade.” Asked why The Peoples Parade, Bryant said, “The Parade is open to all comers. No entry fees are charged, and everyone is encouraged to participate. What else would you call it.”

Bryant says he is “very honored” to have been selected Grand Marshal, and encourages everyone who can’t be in the parade to come downtown and watch it. He guarantees it will be a good time.

2003 Bob McCroskey

2002 Pat and Patty Flanigan

2001 Clark Pike

2000 Robert E. Smith

1999 Austin Kittleman and Megan Platou

The Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade has named the winners of this year’s poster design contest. Austin Kittleman and Megan Platou, both students at Espy Elementary in Nixa, tied for 1st place, and will serve as Grand Marshals for this year’s parade. Austin’s design will be used on the poster promoting the parade, and Megan’s design will be featured on the official T-Shirt. The 19th annual parade will be held on Saturday, March 20th, in downtown Springfield.

The parade received over 100 entries for this year’s contest, and all entries will be on public display in the Lobby of the Gillioz Theatre the day of the parade. This historic downtown theatre is currently being renovated and will also be open for tours on that same day.

1998 and 1997 Forest Lipscomb

1997 Mr. Forest Lipscomb, Sr. was born in Ft. Scott KS on St. Patrick’s Day, 1898, and will celebrate his 99th birthday this year as the Grand Marshal for the 17th annual Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

1998 The Parade, led by Grand Marshal Forest Lipscomb, Sr. begins its trip West on Commercial, down Boonville to Park Central Square. Weather permitting, Mr. Lipscomb, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on St. Patrick’s Day, will lead the parade. Nearly 100 entries are expected for this year’s event.

Mr. Lipscomb was the president of Lipscomb Grain and Seed Company in Springfield until his retirement in 1980. He was the originator of the company’s Hound Dog dog food. During WWII, Mr. Lipscomb entertained the troops at Springfield’s O’Reilly Hospital as a magician. He has been involved in many civic and commercial organizations during his long career, contributing much to our community. We invite everyone to come to the parade, have a wonderful time, and help Mr. Lipscomb celebrate his birthday.

1996 David Trippe and Brian Weekes

David Trippe and Brian Weekes, who co-founded the parade sixteen years ago, will lead this year’s parade as it makes its way down Boonville Avenue, around the south side of the Public Square, and disbands near Park Central West about 3:30.

1995 Moe Bandy

Entertainer Moe Bandy will trade his microphone for a shillelagh as he leads the 15th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Boonville Avenue to the Square. The popular Branson headliner will be the Grand Marshal for this years parade, which is being held Saturday, March 18th.

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