Photo by Marisa Rotter

As we dug through the archives, the earliest mention of a Grand Marshal was in 1953.  According to the Montgomery Messenger, Sgt. Leslie White of Waseca, who arrived home the Saturday before the Kolacky Day celebration after spending two years in a Communist prison camp in Korea, was bestowed the honor of Grand Marshal.  Since then many great men and women have received this cherished honor! 

MACC felt there was no one more deserving than Mick McGuire to servce as the 2023 Grand Marshal. He moved to Montgomery in 1956 and attended Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School and gradutated from Montgomery High School in 1971. He attended the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and graduated from the College of Agriculture. After college, he moved back to Montgomery and started a landscaping business, McGuire Landscaping, with his brother. When he has any extra time, he loves to ride his bike, spend time on his boat, travel, and volunteer in the community. He had been a member of the Montgomery Ambulance for 30 years, a City Council Member for a stint of 8 years, the Mayor for 10 years, and after a break, he is once again servicing as a City Council Member since 2015, which is another 9 years. He was a founding member and current President of the Montgomery Community Foundation, which began in 2018. He also was a founding organizer of the Kolacky Days Tour de Bun Bicycle Classic, which was started in 1991. He has also served on the board of the Ney Nature Center, a board member of the former Mobilize Montgomery, a board member of Aging Services of Montgomery, and is a board member of the Friends of the Jessenland. He is also a member of the Montgomery Area Community Club and the Arts & Heritage Center of Montgomery, and a lifetime member of the Montgomery Historical Society. Congrats Mick!

Every spring since 1958, the MACC announces they are seeking nominations for the Kolacky Days Grand Marshal.  These individuals have played a significant role in the development and success of the Montgomery Area.  Congratulations to all our Grand Marshals.

  • 1953 - Sgt. Leslie White

  • 1958 - Matej David

  • 1959 - Carl Fischer

  • 1960 - Dr. Fred Westerman

  • 1961 - F.J. Turek

  • 1962 - P.X. Kennedy

  • 1963 - Emma Mladek & Lil Charles

  • 1964 - Emil & Mary Franke

  • 1965 - Queen of Snows Carla Augst & Grandfather August Augst

  • 1966 - Elmer Westerman

  • 1967 - Judge Frank M. Turek

  • 1968 - Joe G. Hruby

  • 1969 - Richard Mikiska

  • 1970 - Linus & Mary Ulbricht

  • 1971 - Jim Zelenka

  • 1972 - George & Ceil Feipel

  • 1973 - Dr. Henry Kucera

  • 1974 - Mrs. Joe (Leatta) Trnka

  • 1975 - Helen C. Keohen

  • 1976 - Ronald Novotny

  • 1977 - Frank & Ella Wisdorf

  • 1978 - Milton & Helen Bentley

  • 1979 - W.J. & Al Krenik

  • 1980 - Don & Rose Sweeney

  • 1981 - John & Margaret Ziska

  • 1982 - Ed & Eleanor Berninghaus

  • 1983 - C.J. & Helen Korbel

  • 1984 - Lloyd & Helen Richter

  • 1985 - Joe & Franny Kohout

  • 1986 - Babe Sery

  • 1987 - Jerry & Mary Ann Ruhland

  • 1988- Ed & Dorothy Herman

  • 1989 - Al & Rita Vlasak

  • 1990 - Elroy & Armella Mladek

  • 1991 - Blanche Zellmer

  • 1992 - Glen & Marge Flicek

  • 1993 - Mike & Ramona McGuire

  • 1994 - Glenn & Tatty Malone

  • 1995 - Butch & Jule Franke

  • 1996 - Emmanuel & Betty Vikla

  • 1997 - Jerome & Noreen Schleis

  • 1998 - Lorraine "Tiny" Dvorak

  • 1999 - Clarence & Dorothy Hruby

  • 2000 - Jerry & Cathy Herrmann

  • 2001 - Andy & Mary Regenscheid

  • 2002 - Larry & Karen Parsons

  • 2003 - Emma Pomije

  • 2004 - Leonard &Joan Ouradnik

  • 2005 - Jerry & Lorraine David

  • 2006 - Chuck & Berneice Kasper

  • 2007 - Ed & Mary Blumhoefer

  • 2008 - Roger & MaryAnn Heyda

  • 2009 - Ralph & Doris Hendrickson

  • 2010 - Berlyn & Garie Teig

  • 2011 - John Grimm

  • 2012 - Bill & Cheryl Marek

  • 2013 - Dave and Mary King

  • 2014 - Ruhland Family: Gary and Linda, Dale, Bob and Jan Ruhland and Ken and Mary Ruhland Tupy

  • 2015 - Steve & Bonnie Flicek

  • 2016 - Bob & Barb Rotter

  • 2017 - Bob & Lisbeth Janovsky

  • 2018 - Jake (John) & Kay Keohen

  • 2019 - Jim & Patti Mladek

  • 2020 - Buck (Arnold) & Gladys Zahratka

  • 2021 - Gerry & Dianna Smith

  • 2022 - Bob & Colleen Pavek

  • 2023 - Mick McGuire

  • 2024 - ???

The Montgomery Area Community Club would like to thank the Montgomery Messenger and the many relatives and friends of past Grand Marshals who provided these pictures for our photo gallery. 

If you have better picture of the Grand Marshals from the weekend, please consider emailing us at kolackydays@gmail.com or mailing it to 206 1st St. S, Montgomery, MN 56069.  The photo will be returned to you if you provided a mailing address.