Dutch Days declares grand marshals

Jenna Blount, Clinton Herald, Iowa
·2 min read

Apr. 15—FULTON, Ill. — Joy and Tom VanZuiden have been announced as the grand marshals of this year's 50th anniversary Dutch Days festival in downtown Fulton, Illinois, on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4.

Both life-long residents of Fulton who are active in CrossView Church, Joy and Tom were chosen by the Dutch Days committee to be honored for their long-term commitments and service to the Fulton community.

Joy is the CrossView Church Sunday Connect Coordinator, a Certified Christian Image Consultant, and an inspirational women's public speaker.

After 33 years, she retired as an educator in the River Bend School District but continued to work as a student teacher supervisor at Ashford University and providing private tutoring.

Joy is a Windmill Cultural Center volunteer and Dutch Days festival contributor, instructing Dutch dancing and narrating the costume style show.

Tom was employed at C. E. Armstrong & Sons Company for over 38 years and has also held positions of leadership within the Church both as an elder and deacon. He has also been involved with local men's ministries and has served in an elected position on the Fulton Township Board for more than 20 years.

As this year's grand marshals, Joy and Tom will ride in a convertible near the beginning of the Saturday parade.

They are to be followed by a float of past grand marshals who have been invited to be featured as well in recognition of the festival's anniversary.

The tradition of honoring grand marshals during the Dutch Days festival began in 1978 with Nellie Shipma who at 99 years old at the time was Fulton's oldest living immigrant.

All who are honored as grand marshals receive an honorary "key to the city of Fulton," bestowed currently to 62 recipients.

Grand marshal nominations accepted by the Dutch Days committee are considered and voted on each March, then announced each April.

Grand marshals must only be long-term Fulton residents involved in church, school, or community service in a variety of meaningful ways.