Peach festival names grand marshal for June 21 parade

South Carolina Adjutant General Stan Spears will be the grand marshal for the peach festival parade, which is scheduled for June 21 at 9 a.m. in Gaffney.

Spears was selected in keeping with this year's theme, "Honoring Those Who Serve," parade organizer T.J. Huggin said. Spears will be joined by members of the 218th Enhanced Separated Brigade from the South Carolina National Guard that recently returned from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan.

Spears leads and directs the 13,500 member South Carolina Army and Air National Guard. He oversees the operations of the South Carolina State Guard and Emergency Preparedness Division.

He enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1959 and served 32 years, earning the rank of Brigadier General. His current position as adjutant general is unique because South Carolina is the only state to elect its adjutant general.

"We are very pleased Stan Spears will be with us as we honor those from our community who have served in the military," Huggin said. "Many in the community are affected by the sacrifices people in the military make on a daily basis. We thought it was important to honor these men and women that serve our country during this year's parade."

The parade will begin at Railroad Avenue and run through downtown Gaffney before disbanding at Thomson Park. The deadline to enter the parade is Friday, June 13.

Entry fees are $75 for businesses, $100 for political candidates and $25 for political officials currently in office, Huggin said. The entry fee does not include the festival providing a vehicle or float for the parade.

Entry fees and additional parade details are available on the festival's Web site at www.scpeachfestival.org