Members of the 1981 & 1988 Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl Team will appear with Smoothie King (#24) - Members of the 1981 & 1988 Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl Team along with Smoothie King would like to bring attention to Jovante Woods Foundation. As a result of complications of an Asthma attack, Ickey and Chandra Woods lost their young, 16-year-old son Jovante. Due to their devastating loss, and what they found to be limited resources, education and action available to those who suffer from Asthma or care for a loved one with Asthma, they were determined to make a difference and thus the Jovante Woods Foundation was born. The Jovante Woods Foundation's goal is to try and prevent another family from experiencing the tragic loss of a loved one due to an Asthma attack and lack of education of the danger of death during any Asthma attack. After losing Jovante and realizing there was not enough advocacy or personal education for asthma to have it taken seriously as the number one chronic condition in children and the killer of 11 lives per day, we took action!
Anthony Munoz: Super Bowl XVI & XXIII HoF, 11x Pro Bowl, 9x All Pro
Ickey Woods: Super Bowl XXIII 1988 NFL All-Rookie Team
James Brooks: Super Bowl XXIII 4x Pro Bowl
David Fulcher: Super Bowl XXIII 3x Pro Bowl, 3x All Pro
Louis Breeden: Super Bowl XVI, All Pro
Jim Breech: Super Bowl XVI & XXIII
Dave Lapham: Super Bowl XXIII
Joe Kelly: Super Bowl XXIII
Tom Dinkel: Super Bowl XVI
Kevin Walker: Super Bowl XXIII
For more information on the Jovante Woods Foundation's visit the website:
Jovante Woods Foundation.
Cincinnati Olympian Float will appear as the Findlay Market Parade entry (Position #35)
George Wilson - Gold at 1964 Tokyo - Basketball - Former Member of Cincinnati Royals
- NCAA champion (1962) with Cincinnati Bearcats
- 2× First-team All-MVC (1963, 1964)
- NBA Center - 1964-71 (1964–66 Cincinnati Royals)
- 2010 Wilson was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
Bob Schul - Gold 1964 Tokyo - Men's 5,000 meters
- Pan American Games - Bronze 1963 Sao Paulo 5000 meters
Jenny Kemp - Gold at 1972 Munich - Swimming - 4×100-meter freestyle relay
- 1972 National Championships Silver Medalist in 100yd Freestyle
- 1972 National Championships Bronze Medalist in 100yd Backstroke
- Pan American Games - Bronze 1975 Mexico City 100m backstroke
Darrell Pace - 2 Gold (1976 Montreal, 1984 LA), 1 Silver (1988 Seoul) - Archery
Pan American Games
- 1979 San Juan: Gold – Team & Silver – Individual
- 1983 Caracas: Gold – Team & Gold – Individual
- 1987 Indianapolis: Gold – Team & Bronze – Individual
- 1991 Havana: Gold – Individual & Gold – Individual (70 m)
Joe Hudepohl - Gold 1996 Atlanta; Gold & Bronze 1992 Barcelona - Swimming
Pan Pacific Championships
- 1991 Edmonton - Gold 4×200m freestyle relay, Silver 200m Freestyle
- 1993 Kobe, Japan - Gold 4×200m freestyle relay, Silver 50m freestyle
- 1995 Atlanta - Gold 4×100m freestyle relay, Silver 4×200m freestyle relay
Mary Wineberg - Gold at 2008 Beijing for US Track: 4X400-meter relay
David Payne - Silver 2008 Beijing - 110 m hurdles
- 2007 Pan American Games Bronze 110 m hurdles World Championships
- 2007 Osaka Bronze 110 m hurdles
- 2009 Berlin Bronze 110 m hurdles
Nick Goepper - Bronze 2014 Sochi, Silver 2018 Pyeongchang, Silver 2022 Beijing; - Freestyle Skiing World Championships
- 2013 Voss: Bronze – Slopestyle
- 2019 Utah: Bronze – Slopestyle
Winter X Games
- Gold Slopestyle 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2021
- Silver Slopestyle 2012 & 2017
Miss Ohio & Miss Teen Ohio (#40).
Nicole Wess, Miss Ohio USA 2021, is a Cincinnati local who grew up in West Chester, OH. She graduated from Lakota West High School in 2016, she now currently attends the University of Cincinnati where she is pursuing her Doctorate in Pharmacy and plans to graduate in 2023. Nicole competed in her first pageant last July where she took home the Miss Ohio USA crown. She then competed for the title of Miss USA in November 2021. She leads a platform about educating the youth in the importance of volunteering. Organizations she currently works close with is St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy and A Child's Hope Int'l. Come find Nicole at the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade! She is very excited to be a part of this event as she use to regularly attend the parade with her family growing up.
Grace-Anne Larschied, Miss Teen Ohio USA 2021, whose hometown is Lima, OH where she was born and still lives. She is a current senior of Shawnee High School and graduated earlier this February. Grace-Anne will be attending the University of Cincinnati this fall majoring in criminology with a minor in chemistry. Grace-Anne competed in her first pageant in 2019 and won 1st runner up at Miss Ohio Teen USA. She was also was noted for being the youngest teen to win first runner up in Ohio, being only 15 years old. She then competed again for the title in July 2021 and won the crown. Grace-Anne is the current president of the American Lung Association youth group of Ohio. She has created several fundraisers. Grace-Anne also works with her hometown Fire Chief Truesdale by going into local area school to talk with the Ohio youth about the harmful affects of vaping.
Bootsy Collins will appear with the King Studios entry (Position #62): Bootsy (born William Collins, October 26, 1951, Cincinnati) is one of the all-time great funk and R&B bassists/singer/bandleader. He formed his first group, the Pacesetters, in 1968, featuring Phelps "Catfish" Collins (his brother; guitar), Frankie "Kash" Waddy (drums), and Philippe Wynne (later of The Spinners fame). From 1969 to 1971, the group functioned as James Brown's backup band and was dubbed the J.B.'s. In 1972, Bootsy joined George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic. Collins and Clinton soon established a lifelong personal and musical friendship. He launched Bootsy’s Rubber Band as a spinoff of P-Funk in 1976, the band including his brother Phelps, Waddy (drums), Joel "Razor Sharp" Johnson (keyboards), Gary "Mudbone" Cooper (vocals), and Robert "P-Nut" Johnson (vocals), along with "the Horny Horns". (He was sometimes billed alone as Bootsy, and sometimes as William "Bootsy" Collins.) Bootsy is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and also a Grammy Award Winner. Bootsy still resides in Cincinnati and continues to work in the community including preserving the legacy of the King Records Building.
See Bootsy Collins on youtube: I'd Rather Be With You and Play With Bootsy
Otis Williams of Otis Williams and The Charms will appear with the King Studios entry (Position #62). Otis Williams was born and raised in Cincinnati. He attended Withrow High School and graduated in 1954. His band "The Charms" were formed at Withrow High, who went on to great heights, scoring 2 gold records and 9 hits, including "Hearts Made of Stone" and "Ivory Tower". Also along with their King label mates such as Hank Ballard, Little Willie John, the Mascots (later to become the famed O'Jays), the group worked with such artist as Count Basie, Diana Washington, Dizzie Gillespie, Johnny Mathis, Jackie Wilson, The Four Tops, Frankie Avalon, Frankie Valli and many more. Otis was a part of the first all-black Revue to work Carnegie Hall in NY w/the Allen Freed Revue. He wrote Pat Boone’s first popular hit record "Two Hearts Two Kisses", also recorded by Frank Sinatra and Dorris Day.
Otis still performs and does seminars both locally and abroad. Justin Jeffre, of 98 Degrees, is a staunch advocate of the importance of Otis & The Charms and King Records in music history. Otis and his son, Kent, also are working diligently (along with the City of Cincinnati and the University of Xavier) to preserve the rich history of King and educate the public throughout, specifically our youth! At present there is a major movement to save the original King Records bldg., which is at the top of the list on saving its rich heritage for us all.
See Otis Williams on youtube Hearts Made Of Stone and Ivory Tower
Patrick Fette (pictured), Taxi Phil, David Neiheisel and The Jones Brothers will appear with Cincinnati Beard Barons entry (Position #83). Patrick Fette is the American Record Holder for most first place finishes at the World Beard and Mustache Championships. Patrick has been growing his award winning mustache for the past eight years and has been competing in mustache competitions all over the world for almost as long. His four World Titles have come in the English Mustache category, which is defined as, "Slender. The hairs extend outward from the middle of the upper lip. The tips may be slightly raised. Patrick Fette is the American Record Holder for most first place finishes at the World Beard and Mustache Championships. Patrick has been growing his award winning mustache for the past eight years and has been competing in mustache competitions all over the world for almost as long. His four World Titles have come in the English Mustache category, which is defined as, "Slender. The hairs extend outward from the middle of the upper lip. The tips may be slightly raised. Norman Goins won Best Groomed at the 2019 National Beard and Moustache Competition, Jim Jones has secured 1st place finishes in 7 different beard and moustache categories.
The Cincinnati Beard Barons will host the Big Whisker Revival at Southgate House on Oct 1st to raise money for the Barracks Project, which helps honorably discharged veterans reintegrate back into the civilian community. Cincinnati Beard Barons has raised over $35,000 the past 4 years.
*Photo credit Greg Anderson Photography
Kerry Schall will appear with ColdIron Event Rentals entry (Position #91). Kerry “Meat Truck” Schall, a pioneer in the Greater Cincinnati Mixed Martial Arts scene, nnown for his size and power, began fighting professionally in 1998 and competed against some of the world's greatest MMA Fighters throughout his career. He appeared in the second season of The Ultimate Fighter after being chosen as one of the top unsigned competitors in the country. Kerry also promoted over 75 local MMA events, over the course of his career, in the Cincinnati area giving hundreds of our local athletes an opportunity to compete in front of friends and family.
He is now the Director of Marketing for Glier’s Goetta and Coldiron Event Rentals and is active in promoting and coordinating many of our local festivals including Glier’s Goettafest, Great Inland Seafood Festival, and Bacon Bourbon and Brew as well as many others. Kerry is the proud husband of Mandy, father to Andrew, Lauren, Jordan, Madison, and Koa, and has 7 grandchildren.
Todd Benzinger will appear with Twin Towers Senior Living (#102). A native of New Richmond, Ohio, and a graduate of New Richmond High School, Benzinger was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 4th round of the June 1981 amateur draft. He made his Major League debut with Boston in 1987. Traded to the Reds following the 1988 season, Benzinger became the club's starting first baseman in 1989. A key member of the Reds' 1990 World Championship Club, Benzinger appeared in 118 regular season games for the "wire-to-wire" Reds and in nine of the team's ten postseason games. He caught the final out of the fourth game of the World Series to complete the Reds' historic sweep of Oakland. Benzinger retired following the 1995 season, finishing his career with a .257 batting average over the course of nine Major League seasons.
Ed Burke will appear with VFW Post 10380 (#119). Ed Burke was a Company Commander with a tank Destroyer Unit attached to the 29th infantry division, He was awarded more than ten(10) combat medals citations and awards, Including the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry, which is one of the highest combat decorations given by the United States, also the Bronze star Medal and 5 Bronze Campaign Stars for battles in D Day Normandy, Brittany, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe.
From France, he received the French Croix DeGuerre( Cross of War), French Legion of Honor, which is the highest decoration that a combat soldier can receive that is not a member of the French Army.
Additionally, Ed lead his Tank destroyer Unit in the Liberation of the Nordhausen Concentration Camp. He also was honored to present the flag of the 29th Infantry division at the ceremony of the opening of the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.
His unit met the Russian Army at the Torque West of Berlin in May 1945 and stayed there until the war was over after six (6) months in occupation, He then returned to the United States. Ed Burke was promoted to Major and battalion Commander Of The Tank Destroyer Unit Attached To The 29th Infantry Division. Ed was recently inducted into the Xavier ROTC Hall of Fame and Ford Motor Company Oval of Honor.
Nick Hagglund & Omar Cummings will appear with FC Cincinnati entry (Position #129)
Nick Hagglund, a native of Cincinnati and graduate of Xavier University and Lakota West High School, is FC Cincinnati’s all-time appearance leader in the Orange and Blue’s Major League Soccer history. The defender was traded from Toronto FC to his hometown club ahead of FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season in 2019. Through his over eight years in MLS, Hagglund has scored seven goals and assisted four more, logging over 10,000 minutes in professional soccer action. He resigned with FC Cincinnati in January 2022 to a contract through the 2023 season, and as part of his new deal, he also serves as a club ambassador to further his and FCC’s work in the Cincinnati community and continue to connect the club with the city. A fan favorite, Hagglund is a proud husband to Mary and father of two daughters.
Omar Cummings, a fan favorite from the early USL days with FC Cincinnati, is a former professional soccer player and current club ambassador with FC Cincinnati. He made over 200 appearances in his playing career including in 24 games in two seasons for FCC. He attended college at Cincinnati State College and the University of Cincinnati prior to being drafted by the Colorado Rapids, where he made 148 appearances and scored 39 goals. His career also made stops in Houston and San Antonio before arriving to Cincinnati in 2016. Cummings also scored seven career goals for the Jamaican National team in an over-four year career with the Reggae Boyz.
Watch for The Scott's Reds Rally Pack and The Reds Mascots: Gapper, Rosie Red, Mr. Red and Mr. Redlegs! Rosie Red will be in position #24. The Rally pack with the Mascots will be in position #12. The Scott's Reds Rally Pack has participated in the Opening Day Parade for the last 14 years. At Great American Ball Park they are responsible for spreading joy, and free tee shirts, to fans throughout the season.
The Findlay Market Association is the proud sponsor of the 103rd Opening Day Parade, and with the cooperation of the Cincinnati Reds, is proud to announce the Grand Marshal for this year's parade (start time of noon, from the market).
2022 Findlay Market Parade Grand Marshal - Barry Larkin
Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin is in his seventh season in the front office, his second as Senior Advisor to President and COO Phil Castellini after 5 years as Special Assistant to the General Manager. In his role, Larkin participates in the execution of the team’s annual diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, supports existing and helps secure new corporate partner relationships, and represents the team at sponsored events. He also serves as a color analyst on Reds television broadcasts. The Cincinnati native spent his entire 19-year Major League career with the Reds. He was a 12-time National League All-Star, voted in five times as a starter. He won the 1995 NL MVP Award, a World Series championship in 1990, nine Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards and three Rawlings Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence. He was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2008 and into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 2012. Following retirement as a player, Larkin joined the front office of the Washington Nationals then went on to TV analyst roles at MLB Network and ESPN. In 2015, he rejoined the Reds organization as a roving minor league infield instructor.
Marty Brennaman - Marty Brennaman Cincinnati Reds radio announcer will appear with Kid Glove Program entry (Position #8) - Reds radio announcer Marty Brennaman received the Ford C. Frick Award on July 23, 2000, in ceremonies at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The award is presented each year by the Hall of Fame to a broadcaster “for major contributions to the game of baseball.” Brennaman, Red Barber (WSAI, 1934-1938), Al Helfer (WSAI, 1935-36) and Russ Hodges (WFBE, 1932) are the only Reds announcers eve9r to receive the Hall of Fame’s prestigious broadcasting award. The 2019 season was Brennaman’s 55th and final as a broadcaster, his 46th in Cincinnati, as he retired following the season. Brennaman joined the Reds radio team in 1974 and for 31 seasons (1974-2004) shared the 700 WLW Radio booth with Reds Hall of Fame pitcher Joe Nuxhall. In 2019, Brennaman will become only the eighth Major League Baseball broadcaster to work for the same team for at least 46 seasons, joining Vin Scully of the Dodgers (67 seasons, 1950-2016), Ralph Kiner of the Mets (52 seasons, 1962-2013), KC’s Denny Matthews (2019 will be his 51st, 1969), Mil’s Bob Uecker (2019 will be his 49th, 1971), Jack Buck (48 seasons, 1954-2001) & Mike Shannon (2019 will be his 48th, 1972) of the Cardinals and LA’s Jaime Jarrín (2019 will be his 47th, 1973). At 31 years together, Marty & Joe tied LA’s Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett for the longest running broadcast duo in baseball history. Brennaman has been named Ohio Sportscaster of the Year 17 times, most recently in 2018. He won the Virginia Sportscaster of the Year Award 4 times while broadcasting basketball games for the American Basketball Association’s Virginia Squires, baseball games for the New York Mets’ Class AAA affiliate in Norfolk and football games for both Virginia Tech and William & Mary. He also has broadcast games during the NCAA’s men’s basketball tournament, including 15 regional tournaments and 11 Final Fours. On May 2, 2005 he was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in Salisbury, NC. On November 5, 2005 he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago. In 1999 he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. In October 2013 he was inducted into the Hampton Roads (VA) Sports Hall of Fame. In 2009 he was selected by the American Sportscasters Association as one of the Top 50 broadcasters of all time. In January 2013 he received the Tom Hammond Lifetime Achievement Award for Sports Broadcasting, presented by the Bluegrass Sports Commission in Lexington, Ky.
West Side Little Leagues 12 year old All Star Team will appear with the Jake Sweeney Automotive (Position #21) In 2021, West Side Little Leagues 12 year old All Star team experienced a magical run. Our “West Side Wonders” started their run with an undefeated victory in the District 9 Tournament. They continued with a championship at State against Ohio’s best competition. This success advanced them into the regional bracket, where their hard work qualified them for a World Series bid. This group of young athletes then experienced record-breaking success by becoming West Side’s most winning team. They earned a championship win for the Tom Seaver Little League World Series Title. This gave them the opportunity to represent our great community in the Little League World Series championship game, which is further than any Ohio Little League team has ever advanced in the World Series.
Little League video on the journey for West Side Little League: https://fb.watch/8a-D1rq3-E/
Honoring the 1981 & 1988 Cincinnati Bengals and Remembering Jovante Woods
Members of the 1981 & 1988 Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl Team will appear with Smoothie King (#24) - Members of the 1981 & 1988 Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl Team along with Smoothie King would like to bring attention to Jovante Woods Foundation. As a result of complications of an Asthma attack, Ickey and Chandra Woods lost their young, 16-year-old son Jovante. Due to their devastating loss, and what they found to be limited resources, education and action available to those who suffer from Asthma or care for a loved one with Asthma, they were determined to make a difference and thus the Jovante Woods Foundation was born. The Jovante Woods Foundation's goal is to try and prevent another family from experiencing the tragic loss of a loved one due to an Asthma attack and lack of education of the danger of death during any Asthma attack. After losing Jovante and realizing there was not enough advocacy or personal education for asthma to have it taken seriously as the number one chronic condition in children and the killer of 11 lives per day, we took action!
Anthony Munoz: Super Bowl XVI & XXIII HoF, 11x Pro Bowl, 9x All Pro
Ickey Woods: Super Bowl XXIII 1988 NFL All-Rookie Team
James Brooks: Super Bowl XXIII 4x Pro Bowl
David Fulcher: Super Bowl XXIII 3x Pro Bowl, 3x All Pro
Louis Breeden: Super Bowl XVI, All Pro
Jim Breech: Super Bowl XVI & XXIII
Dave Lapham: Super Bowl XXIII
Joe Kelly: Super Bowl XXIII
Tom Dinkel: Super Bowl XVI
Kevin Walker: Super Bowl XXIII
For more information on the Jovante Woods Foundation's visit the website: Jovante Woods Foundation.Cincinnati Olympian Float will appear as the Findlay Market Parade entry (Position #35)
George Wilson - Gold at 1964 Tokyo - Basketball - Former Member of Cincinnati Royals
- NCAA champion (1962) with Cincinnati Bearcats
- 2× First-team All-MVC (1963, 1964)
- NBA Center - 1964-71 (1964–66 Cincinnati Royals)
- 2010 Wilson was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
Bob Schul - Gold 1964 Tokyo - Men's 5,000 meters
- Pan American Games - Bronze 1963 Sao Paulo 5000 meters
Jenny Kemp - Gold at 1972 Munich - Swimming - 4×100-meter freestyle relay
- 1972 National Championships Silver Medalist in 100yd Freestyle
- 1972 National Championships Bronze Medalist in 100yd Backstroke
- Pan American Games - Bronze 1975 Mexico City 100m backstroke
Darrell Pace - 2 Gold (1976 Montreal, 1984 LA), 1 Silver (1988 Seoul) - Archery
Pan American Games
- 1979 San Juan: Gold – Team & Silver – Individual
- 1983 Caracas: Gold – Team & Gold – Individual
- 1987 Indianapolis: Gold – Team & Bronze – Individual
- 1991 Havana: Gold – Individual & Gold – Individual (70 m)
Joe Hudepohl - Gold 1996 Atlanta; Gold & Bronze 1992 Barcelona - Swimming
Pan Pacific Championships
- 1991 Edmonton - Gold 4×200m freestyle relay, Silver 200m Freestyle
- 1993 Kobe, Japan - Gold 4×200m freestyle relay, Silver 50m freestyle
- 1995 Atlanta - Gold 4×100m freestyle relay, Silver 4×200m freestyle relay
Mary Wineberg - Gold at 2008 Beijing for US Track: 4X400-meter relay
David Payne - Silver 2008 Beijing - 110 m hurdles
- 2007 Pan American Games Bronze 110 m hurdles World Championships
- 2007 Osaka Bronze 110 m hurdles
- 2009 Berlin Bronze 110 m hurdles
Nick Goepper - Bronze 2014 Sochi, Silver 2018 Pyeongchang, Silver 2022 Beijing; - Freestyle Skiing World Championships
- 2013 Voss: Bronze – Slopestyle
- 2019 Utah: Bronze – Slopestyle
Winter X Games
- Gold Slopestyle 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2021
- Silver Slopestyle 2012 & 2017
Miss Ohio & Miss Teen Ohio (#40).
Nicole Wess, Miss Ohio USA 2021, is a Cincinnati local who grew up in West Chester, OH. She graduated from Lakota West High School in 2016, she now currently attends the University of Cincinnati where she is pursuing her Doctorate in Pharmacy and plans to graduate in 2023. Nicole competed in her first pageant last July where she took home the Miss Ohio USA crown. She then competed for the title of Miss USA in November 2021. She leads a platform about educating the youth in the importance of volunteering. Organizations she currently works close with is St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy and A Child's Hope Int'l. Come find Nicole at the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade! She is very excited to be a part of this event as she use to regularly attend the parade with her family growing up.
Grace-Anne Larschied, Miss Teen Ohio USA 2021, whose hometown is Lima, OH where she was born and still lives. She is a current senior of Shawnee High School and graduated earlier this February. Grace-Anne will be attending the University of Cincinnati this fall majoring in criminology with a minor in chemistry. Grace-Anne competed in her first pageant in 2019 and won 1st runner up at Miss Ohio Teen USA. She was also was noted for being the youngest teen to win first runner up in Ohio, being only 15 years old. She then competed again for the title in July 2021 and won the crown. Grace-Anne is the current president of the American Lung Association youth group of Ohio. She has created several fundraisers. Grace-Anne also works with her hometown Fire Chief Truesdale by going into local area school to talk with the Ohio youth about the harmful affects of vaping.
Bootsy Collins will appear with the King Studios entry (Position #62): Bootsy (born William Collins, October 26, 1951, Cincinnati) is one of the all-time great funk and R&B bassists/singer/bandleader. He formed his first group, the Pacesetters, in 1968, featuring Phelps "Catfish" Collins (his brother; guitar), Frankie "Kash" Waddy (drums), and Philippe Wynne (later of The Spinners fame). From 1969 to 1971, the group functioned as James Brown's backup band and was dubbed the J.B.'s. In 1972, Bootsy joined George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic. Collins and Clinton soon established a lifelong personal and musical friendship. He launched Bootsy’s Rubber Band as a spinoff of P-Funk in 1976, the band including his brother Phelps, Waddy (drums), Joel "Razor Sharp" Johnson (keyboards), Gary "Mudbone" Cooper (vocals), and Robert "P-Nut" Johnson (vocals), along with "the Horny Horns". (He was sometimes billed alone as Bootsy, and sometimes as William "Bootsy" Collins.) Bootsy is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and also a Grammy Award Winner. Bootsy still resides in Cincinnati and continues to work in the community including preserving the legacy of the King Records Building.
See Bootsy Collins on youtube: I'd Rather Be With You and Play With Bootsy
Otis Williams of Otis Williams and The Charms will appear with the King Studios entry (Position #62). Otis Williams was born and raised in Cincinnati. He attended Withrow High School and graduated in 1954. His band "The Charms" were formed at Withrow High, who went on to great heights, scoring 2 gold records and 9 hits, including "Hearts Made of Stone" and "Ivory Tower". Also along with their King label mates such as Hank Ballard, Little Willie John, the Mascots (later to become the famed O'Jays), the group worked with such artist as Count Basie, Diana Washington, Dizzie Gillespie, Johnny Mathis, Jackie Wilson, The Four Tops, Frankie Avalon, Frankie Valli and many more. Otis was a part of the first all-black Revue to work Carnegie Hall in NY w/the Allen Freed Revue. He wrote Pat Boone’s first popular hit record "Two Hearts Two Kisses", also recorded by Frank Sinatra and Dorris Day.
Otis still performs and does seminars both locally and abroad. Justin Jeffre, of 98 Degrees, is a staunch advocate of the importance of Otis & The Charms and King Records in music history. Otis and his son, Kent, also are working diligently (along with the City of Cincinnati and the University of Xavier) to preserve the rich history of King and educate the public throughout, specifically our youth! At present there is a major movement to save the original King Records bldg., which is at the top of the list on saving its rich heritage for us all.
See Otis Williams on youtube Hearts Made Of Stone and Ivory Tower
Patrick Fette (pictured), Taxi Phil, David Neiheisel and The Jones Brothers will appear with Cincinnati Beard Barons entry (Position #83). Patrick Fette is the American Record Holder for most first place finishes at the World Beard and Mustache Championships. Patrick has been growing his award winning mustache for the past eight years and has been competing in mustache competitions all over the world for almost as long. His four World Titles have come in the English Mustache category, which is defined as, "Slender. The hairs extend outward from the middle of the upper lip. The tips may be slightly raised. Patrick Fette is the American Record Holder for most first place finishes at the World Beard and Mustache Championships. Patrick has been growing his award winning mustache for the past eight years and has been competing in mustache competitions all over the world for almost as long. His four World Titles have come in the English Mustache category, which is defined as, "Slender. The hairs extend outward from the middle of the upper lip. The tips may be slightly raised. Norman Goins won Best Groomed at the 2019 National Beard and Moustache Competition, Jim Jones has secured 1st place finishes in 7 different beard and moustache categories.
The Cincinnati Beard Barons will host the Big Whisker Revival at Southgate House on Oct 1st to raise money for the Barracks Project, which helps honorably discharged veterans reintegrate back into the civilian community. Cincinnati Beard Barons has raised over $35,000 the past 4 years.
*Photo credit Greg Anderson Photography
Kerry Schall will appear with ColdIron Event Rentals entry (Position #91). Kerry “Meat Truck” Schall, a pioneer in the Greater Cincinnati Mixed Martial Arts scene, nnown for his size and power, began fighting professionally in 1998 and competed against some of the world's greatest MMA Fighters throughout his career. He appeared in the second season of The Ultimate Fighter after being chosen as one of the top unsigned competitors in the country. Kerry also promoted over 75 local MMA events, over the course of his career, in the Cincinnati area giving hundreds of our local athletes an opportunity to compete in front of friends and family.
He is now the Director of Marketing for Glier’s Goetta and Coldiron Event Rentals and is active in promoting and coordinating many of our local festivals including Glier’s Goettafest, Great Inland Seafood Festival, and Bacon Bourbon and Brew as well as many others. Kerry is the proud husband of Mandy, father to Andrew, Lauren, Jordan, Madison, and Koa, and has 7 grandchildren.
Todd Benzinger will appear with Twin Towers Senior Living (#102). A native of New Richmond, Ohio, and a graduate of New Richmond High School, Benzinger was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 4th round of the June 1981 amateur draft. He made his Major League debut with Boston in 1987. Traded to the Reds following the 1988 season, Benzinger became the club's starting first baseman in 1989. A key member of the Reds' 1990 World Championship Club, Benzinger appeared in 118 regular season games for the "wire-to-wire" Reds and in nine of the team's ten postseason games. He caught the final out of the fourth game of the World Series to complete the Reds' historic sweep of Oakland. Benzinger retired following the 1995 season, finishing his career with a .257 batting average over the course of nine Major League seasons.
Ed Burke will appear with VFW Post 10380 (#119). Ed Burke was a Company Commander with a tank Destroyer Unit attached to the 29th infantry division, He was awarded more than ten(10) combat medals citations and awards, Including the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry, which is one of the highest combat decorations given by the United States, also the Bronze star Medal and 5 Bronze Campaign Stars for battles in D Day Normandy, Brittany, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe.
From France, he received the French Croix DeGuerre( Cross of War), French Legion of Honor, which is the highest decoration that a combat soldier can receive that is not a member of the French Army.
Additionally, Ed lead his Tank destroyer Unit in the Liberation of the Nordhausen Concentration Camp. He also was honored to present the flag of the 29th Infantry division at the ceremony of the opening of the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.
His unit met the Russian Army at the Torque West of Berlin in May 1945 and stayed there until the war was over after six (6) months in occupation, He then returned to the United States. Ed Burke was promoted to Major and battalion Commander Of The Tank Destroyer Unit Attached To The 29th Infantry Division. Ed was recently inducted into the Xavier ROTC Hall of Fame and Ford Motor Company Oval of Honor.
Nick Hagglund & Omar Cummings will appear with FC Cincinnati entry (Position #129)
Nick Hagglund, a native of Cincinnati and graduate of Xavier University and Lakota West High School, is FC Cincinnati’s all-time appearance leader in the Orange and Blue’s Major League Soccer history. The defender was traded from Toronto FC to his hometown club ahead of FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season in 2019. Through his over eight years in MLS, Hagglund has scored seven goals and assisted four more, logging over 10,000 minutes in professional soccer action. He resigned with FC Cincinnati in January 2022 to a contract through the 2023 season, and as part of his new deal, he also serves as a club ambassador to further his and FCC’s work in the Cincinnati community and continue to connect the club with the city. A fan favorite, Hagglund is a proud husband to Mary and father of two daughters.
Omar Cummings, a fan favorite from the early USL days with FC Cincinnati, is a former professional soccer player and current club ambassador with FC Cincinnati. He made over 200 appearances in his playing career including in 24 games in two seasons for FCC. He attended college at Cincinnati State College and the University of Cincinnati prior to being drafted by the Colorado Rapids, where he made 148 appearances and scored 39 goals. His career also made stops in Houston and San Antonio before arriving to Cincinnati in 2016. Cummings also scored seven career goals for the Jamaican National team in an over-four year career with the Reggae Boyz.
Watch for The Scott's Reds Rally Pack and The Reds Mascots: Gapper, Rosie Red, Mr. Red and Mr. Redlegs! Rosie Red will be in position #24. The Rally pack with the Mascots will be in position #12. The Scott's Reds Rally Pack has participated in the Opening Day Parade for the last 14 years. At Great American Ball Park they are responsible for spreading joy, and free tee shirts, to fans throughout the season.