Fair board announces Parade Grand Marshal

Virginia Fielder will be the Grand Marshal of the 2018 Manchester Community Fair parade.

When asked how she was chosen to become this year's Grand Marshal of the Manchester Community Fair parade, Virginia Fielder quipped, "You got me."

But a lifetime of community involvement certainly makes it evident that Ginny is highly deserving of the honor. Kathy Richardson, a member of the Manchester Fair Board, says Ginny has been involved with the fair for many years, even when her kids were young. "She helped at the gates for many years; she was one of the ladies that started the Emanuel food wagon ... those are just off the top of my head."

Nevertheless, when she got the call asking her to lead this year's parade, "my mouth was hanging open. I was dumbstruck! I've worked on many things over the years ... but whoever thought I'd be the Grand Marshal?"

Born on the Feldkamp family farm on M-52, just north of Pleasant Lake Road, now the site of Eisenhower Center's Manchester campus, Ginny grew up in Manchester, married Norm Fielder, and was the mother of three children (Nancy, Larry, and Randy) who were active in school and, of course, the Manchester Community Fair and its activities, including the Steer Club. For many years, Ginny herself has been active in the Shakespeare Club, of which she remains an honorary member, as well as extensive involvement in the Manchester Community Chest (later the United Way), and Emanuel United Church of Christ. She has long helped out at the gates of the fair, as well.

"When you grow up here and live in a town like this, you can't help but get involved," she says. "These are all worthwhile things, and things that needed to get done."

But it was through her involvement with church that Ginny's association with the fair became a little bigger than just "helping out," or ferrying her kids back and forth.

"Someone from the fair board called me and asked if our church ladies would sell sandwiches out of a Coke trailer," she recalls. "I got Mary Blossom to help me and a lot of the other ladies pitched in. As time went on, we kind of outgrew the little trailer. I was driving through Tecumseh and I saw an old Elephant Ear trailer for sale for $800. I offered them $500, because it wasn't in the best shape, but they were firm on their price. So I went to the women's fellowship and they loaned me the $800 to purchase the trailer. And it's still in use today, for the fair and year-around!"

The trailer needed some re-vamping, of course, to get to its present shape, and Ginny appreciatively remembers the many men and women of Emanuel church who volunteered to get the trailer to the point where food could be reliably served, as well as those who helped design it for its current use.

Over the years, not only Mary Blossom, but Bettie Fink and other women of Emanuel UCC helped Ginny out with running the food wagon, but her involvement remained constant up until just a few years ago.

"It was all so enjoyable," she says. "I met so many nice people through that experience."

Ginny lived out on Herman Road through most of her married life, and beyond, until a few years ago when she moved to a condominium in the village. She enjoys being closer to her neighbors and able to get around easily in her new surroundings. She remains actively interested in the community and what happens around her in the world, as well.

"I buy a newspaper every day," she says with a smile. "Some of my friends say, 'that's so expensive,' but I tell them I don't smoke; I don't drink; and I don't gamble--so, I buy a paper every day."

The Manchester Fair Parade will be held at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, July 10.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.