The Findlay Market Association is the proud sponsor of the 107th Opening Day Parade, and with the cooperation of the Cincinnati Reds, is proud to announce the Grand Marshals for this year's parade (start time of noon, from the market).
2026 Findlay Market Parade Grand Marshal
Jeff Brantley (Pitcher, 1988–2001 & 1996; All-Star (1991), NL Rolaids Relief (1996))
Jeff Brantley is in his 20th season as a member of the Reds Radio and Reds Television Network broadcast teams. He was hired in October 2006. After he retired as a player following the 2001 season, Brantley joined ESPN as an in-game analyst and also as a studio analyst on the network’s popular Baseball Tonight show. In March 2006, he broadcast several telecasts of the inaugural World Baseball Classic. Brantley spent 14 seasons in the Major Leagues and enjoyed some of his best years while pitching for the Reds from 1994-1997, when he posted a 2.64 ERA and 88 saves. He is tied for sixth on the club’s all-time saves list. In 1996 he earned the Rolaids Relief Man Award after leading the National League with 44 saves. His 44 saves that season remains the Reds’ single-season record. Brantley also pitched for the Giants, Cardinals, Phillies and Rangers. He was an All-Star for San Francisco in 1990 and finished his career with 172 saves and a 3.39 ERA in 615 games. He is enshrined on the Giants’ Wall of Fame at AT&T Park. Brantley is a graduate of Mississippi State University, where he led the Bulldogs to a third-place finish at the College World Series. He was a 4-year letterwinner for MSU and was named first-team All-American in 1985. A member of the Mississippi State Hall of Fame, Brantley’s uniform number 8 was retired in 2000. In 2010 he was inducted into the State of Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and in February 2019 was a member of the inaugural class of the prestigious Ron Polk Ring of Honor along with Will Clark, the late David “Boo” Ferriss, the late C.R. “Dudy” Noble and Rafael Palmeiro. Brantley was named the 2025 Ohio Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. In May of 2026, he will be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He has been involved in several youth baseball groups like Garth Brooks’ “Teammates for Kids” and an inner-city baseball program in Jackson, Mississippi. Jeff and wife Ashley have 2 children, Elizabeth and Mason. He has two other children, Emily and Murphy.
Two current Cincinnati Reds pitchers: TBA. (Position #14)
Dr. Kremchek will appear with the Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine entry (Position #15) Timothy Kremchek, M.D. is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in sports medicine. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1986, Dr. Kremchek accepted an internship in General Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital. In 1988, he began his residency at Tufts University and affiliated hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1992, he was selected to be a chief resident at the internationally known New England Baptist Hospital. Following, he completed a sports medicine fellowship in Birmingham, Alabama at the world renowned Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine with James R. Andrews, M.D.
His passion for sports medicine is obvious, since he has been the Medical Director for the Cincinnati Reds and their other minor league affiliates since 1996. In addition, Dr. Kremchek also provides second opinions for the NFL, and is Team Physician for Wilmington College, Morehead State, and Wittenberg University, as well as Medical Director for Moeller, Indian Hill, Kings, Wyoming, Mt. Notre Dame, Mason, Clinton-Massie, Wilmington High School & Wilmington College and Lakota West high schools. Dr. Kremchek treats professional athletes from a variety of sports and all levels of competition. He has performed Tommy John Surgery (ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction) on dozens of MLB pitchers, as well as many minor league and college ballplayers. Because of the drastic increase in the number of cases requiring Tommy John surgery, Dr. Kremchek has become one of the most outspoken voices in Southwestern Ohio regarding pitch counts in youth baseball.
Connor Curran Gold Medalist 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics - Connor Curran, a Cincinnati native & Park City local and longtime member of the Park City Ski & Snowboard aerials team, is one of the greatest young talents in the aerials world. Curran made his FIS Freestyle Junior World Ski Championships debut in 2022 and won a gold medal in the mixed team aerials event. He competed at the 2023 Junior World Championships and won a silver medal in the mixed team aerials and a bronze medal in the aerials event. After a few seasons on the NorAm circuit, Curran took on the World Cup circuit full-time for the 2023-24 season and immediately made an impact. Over the course of this season, he earned his first top 10, first super finals, first top five, and first podium. In February of 2024, Curran took home his first-ever podium in front of the rowdy Deer Valley crowd, placing second at the Intermountain Health Freestyle International at Deer Valley Resort. Connor won Gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Marty Brennaman - Marty Brennaman Cincinnati Reds radio announcer will appear with Kid Glove Program entry (Position #17) - 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.
Anthony Munoz will appear with the Anthony Munoz Foundation entry (Position #31). First-round draft pick by Cincinnati Bengals and third overall pick in 1980, Anthony played 13 seasons with the Bengals (1980-1992) and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1998. He was named NFL’s Man of the Year in 1991, and his career as an All-Pro lineman earned him membership on the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994. In 2010, he was ranked No. 12 on the NFL Network's Top 100 players list and was the highest-ranked offensive lineman. In 2002, Anthony created the non-profit Anthony Muñoz Foundation, which works with Greater Cincinnati youth impacting them mentally, physically and spiritually. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $13 million for youth programs. In 2017, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, Anthony was recognized by the Cincinnati Bengals as the No. 1 Bengal as voted on by fans and media.
Anthony and his wife Dede have two children, Michael (wife, Emily) and Michelle (husband, Luke Trenz), and 11 grandchildren. He is a true family man, who also stays active in the community, sharing his persistent message to overcome adversity and give back. The former Cincinnati Bengals star has logged two decades of high-profile charitable work and youth advocacy since retiring from the game in 1992. A true hometown hero, Anthony continues to give his time and dedication to serving the youth of Greater Cincinnati. For more information, visit the Anthony Munoz Foundation's website: www.munozfoundation.org.
Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000 with Current Miss OH & IN will appear with Jake Sweeney position (#32).
Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000, is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati's DAAP where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Fashion and a Masters in Design (MDes.). Today, she serves as the VP of Media Training for the Brielle Cotterman Media Group, Outreach Strategist for Global Game Changers and is Creative Director of Heather French Henry, LLC. As Miss America 2000, she used that platform to share her unique story to advocate for military veterans and their families. Her love of the military came from her admiration for her father, Ronnie French, a disabled Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War and her Uncle Jerry who overcame homelessness to go on to serve as a homeless veteran counselor. She has served as both deputy commissioner and commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs for two Governors in the Commonwealth of Kentucky which oversees nursing home facilities, cemeteries and programs for over 300,000 veterans. Both she and her husband operate the Rosemary Clooney House Museum which owns the famous White Christmas Movie Collection. She is the volunteer Director of the Heather French Foundation for Veterans which focuses on developing military educational displays to honor our heroes and educate the public about their sacrifice and service. Heather is from Maysville and Augusta, KY and is married to Dr. Stephen L. Henry, former Lt Governor of Kentucky & acclaimed trauma orthopedic surgeon. They have two daughters Harper Renee' and Taylor Augusta
Kinley Shoemaker, Miss Indiana 2025 Kinley Shoemaker is a Butler University junior and Morton-Finney Diversity Leadership Scholar pursuing Strategic Communication with minors in Journalism and Creative Media & Entertainment. She serves as an emcee for the Indianapolis Indians baseball team and the Butler University basketball team, and has modeled for various national brands. Kinley’s service initiative, RISE then SHINE, focuses on empowering survivors of trauma through community engagement and advocacy. A key vocalist with a love for musical theater, Kinley adores her Ohio roots, having grown up in Mansfield, OH, and even in Cincinnati, OH, before moving to Indiana!
Olivia Fosson, Miss Ohio 2025, Olivia Fosson is a Juris Doctor Candidate at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a musical theatre graduate of Oklahoma City University. After an injury in college caused permanent nerve damage, Olivia turned her experience into purpose, launching Body Neutral: Connect, Create, Celebrate - a statewide program that empowers people of all ages to cultivate self-worth beyond body image. Last year, she published her first children’s book, “Rocky’s Race,” which teaches the fundamentals of healthy living - nutrition, movement, and rest - to young children. She also serves as a national ambassador for Project HEAL and the WithAll Organization. Raised on a Christmas tree farm in Appalachian Ohio, Olivia is proud to amplify her community and inspire young Appalachian girls to believe they can move mountains.
Paul Nicholson (Retired Midfielder/Defender) will appear with FC Cincinnati (Position #51). Originally from Whitehaven, England, Paul played for FC Cincinnati during the USL era and currently serves as a club ambassador for FC Cincinnati. Nicholson played college soccer for University of Rio Grande where he was selected for the All-Tournament team for the 2008 NAIA Tournament and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Defensive Player. Paul played for the Wilmington Hammerheads before committing to FC Cincinnati, where he played 35 games for FCC between 2016 and 2017.
Taxi Phil, David Neiheisel and The Jones Brothers will appear with Cincinnati Beard Barons entry (Position #55). All 3 are veterans of different branches. Taxi Phil (Air Force), Jim Jones (Marines), David Neiheisel (Army). Jim Jones has secured 1st place finishes in 8 different beard and moustache categories across the United States. Taxi Phil is the most famous EMCEE being asked to facilitate competitions across the nation. Taxi Phil Jones has been a huge part of the bearding community for over 15 years. He is one of the founding members of the Cincinnati Beard Barons and has been President for 10 years. He was recently elected as a Vice President of The North American Charitable Beard and Mustache Alliance. Taxi Phil Jones is known for his iconic handlebar mustache . He is recognized in the bearding community throughout the country as a world class competitor, top rated judge and a first-class Emcee. Traveling all over the country bearding with his wife Sandy, he has attended over 100 competitions. He has competed at local, regional, national and world levels. Phil has placed numerous times in First place in the U.S. comps and was honored to place Third in Worlds. Over the past 15 years he has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities throughout the USA. Philanthropy is the driving force behind the competitive bearding community throughout this country. He has proud and honored to part of this community.
The Cincinnati Beard Barons will host the Big Whisker Revival at Southgate House on Oct 7th to raise money for the Barracks Project, which helps honorably discharged veterans reintegrate back into the civilian community. Cincinnati Beard Barons has raised over $45,000.00 the past 5 years.
Bronson Arroyo (Pitcher, 2006–2013, 2017; 2023 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame)will appear with Cumulus Media - WFTK / Business Courier entry (Position #61). One of the most durable pitchers in Reds history and one of only two Reds pitchers to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, Bronson Arroyo pitched 200 or more innings in seven of his eight full seasons with the club and started 32 or more games in each of his eight full Reds campaigns. A 2006 National League All-Star, Arroyo paced the league in both innings pitched (240.2) and starts (35) that season. Arroyo led or tied for the club lead in games started seven times in his career and was the club’s leader in innings pitched in five different seasons. In Reds history, only six pitchers have started more games for the club than Arroyo’s 279 and his career total of 1,761.1 innings pitched has been topped by only 15 pitchers in franchise history. Arroyo led or tied for the club lead in victories in a season three times and won 12 or more games in a season six times during his Reds career including a career-best 17 wins during the Reds’ 2010 National League Central Division championship season. He won Gold Glove honors that season and finished 12th in voting for the NL Cy Young Award. In 2012, he contributed 12 victories to the 97 wins recorded by the Central Division Champion Reds, a team victory total that has been exceeded by only seven other Reds teams. Relying on pitch location, movement and changing speeds, Arroyo struck out 1,157 batters as a Red, a total bested by only five pitchers in club history.
Bearcats Basketball Players will appear with Sam Adams entry (Position #98).
Former University of Cincinnati Bearcat Basketball Star Players.
Corie Blount: UC 1992-93, 1992 Final 4; 11 Seasons in the NBA, primarily with Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns
Melvin Levett: UC 1996-99; UC single-game record for three-pointers (10) vs E. KY; Cincinnati Stuff (IBL); Harlem Globetrotters; Kentucky Pro Cats
Damon Flint: UC 1994-97; 2x Elite Eight; OHSBCA Mr. Basketball; Cincinnati Stuff (IBL); Kentucky Pro Cats
Cincinnati MMA Fighter Kerry "Meat Truck" Schall will appear with Affinity of Ohio (Palliative and Hospice) entry (Position #118). 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.
Michael Matthews - Super Bowl champion (XLII) New York Giants with appear with Affinity of Ohio (Palliative and Hospice) position (#118). - Michael L. Matthews II is currently serving as Director of Business Development at Bon Secours Mercy Health hospital in Cincinnati, OH, and has been with the organization since 2013. Michael attended Georgia Institute of Technology where he studied business management and accounting and is currently finishing a M.B.A from Xavier University. While at Georgia Tech, Michael played football and was a two-year starter at Tight End. Leaving Georgia Tech Michael in the spring of 2007 signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Football Giants. The 2007 season with the Giants turned out to be magical as Michael was part of the Super Bowl 42 championship team. Michael went on to play 4 more seasons of professional football. In the winter of 2011, Michael began his career in healthcare.
Michael is married to his high school sweetheart Laura, and they have three wonderful children(Dominic, Lariah, Carter). He currently resides in Maineville, OH. Their favorite family activities include traveling, camping, sporting events, and movies nights.
Suncrest Hospice, based in West Chester, Ohio, provides compassionate care to patients in the comfort of the places they call home, with regular visits of up to seven times a week.
*As part of their commitment to giving back, Suncrest Hospice enlisted local retired Vietnam veteran Frank Vandeberg to design and build their float for opening day.The organization is thrilled to be part of the community tradition that many of its team members grew up attending.
The Findlay Market Association is the proud sponsor of the 107th Opening Day Parade, and with the cooperation of the Cincinnati Reds, is proud to announce the Grand Marshals for this year's parade (start time of noon, from the market).
2026 Findlay Market Parade Grand Marshal
Jeff Brantley (Pitcher, 1988–2001 & 1996; All-Star (1991), NL Rolaids Relief (1996))
Jeff Brantley is in his 20th season as a member of the Reds Radio and Reds Television Network broadcast teams. He was hired in October 2006. After he retired as a player following the 2001 season, Brantley joined ESPN as an in-game analyst and also as a studio analyst on the network’s popular Baseball Tonight show. In March 2006, he broadcast several telecasts of the inaugural World Baseball Classic. Brantley spent 14 seasons in the Major Leagues and enjoyed some of his best years while pitching for the Reds from 1994-1997, when he posted a 2.64 ERA and 88 saves. He is tied for sixth on the club’s all-time saves list. In 1996 he earned the Rolaids Relief Man Award after leading the National League with 44 saves. His 44 saves that season remains the Reds’ single-season record. Brantley also pitched for the Giants, Cardinals, Phillies and Rangers. He was an All-Star for San Francisco in 1990 and finished his career with 172 saves and a 3.39 ERA in 615 games. He is enshrined on the Giants’ Wall of Fame at AT&T Park. Brantley is a graduate of Mississippi State University, where he led the Bulldogs to a third-place finish at the College World Series. He was a 4-year letterwinner for MSU and was named first-team All-American in 1985. A member of the Mississippi State Hall of Fame, Brantley’s uniform number 8 was retired in 2000. In 2010 he was inducted into the State of Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and in February 2019 was a member of the inaugural class of the prestigious Ron Polk Ring of Honor along with Will Clark, the late David “Boo” Ferriss, the late C.R. “Dudy” Noble and Rafael Palmeiro. Brantley was named the 2025 Ohio Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. In May of 2026, he will be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He has been involved in several youth baseball groups like Garth Brooks’ “Teammates for Kids” and an inner-city baseball program in Jackson, Mississippi. Jeff and wife Ashley have 2 children, Elizabeth and Mason. He has two other children, Emily and Murphy.
Two current Cincinnati Reds pitchers: TBA. (Position #14)
His passion for sports medicine is obvious, since he has been the Medical Director for the Cincinnati Reds and their other minor league affiliates since 1996. In addition, Dr. Kremchek also provides second opinions for the NFL, and is Team Physician for Wilmington College, Morehead State, and Wittenberg University, as well as Medical Director for Moeller, Indian Hill, Kings, Wyoming, Mt. Notre Dame, Mason, Clinton-Massie, Wilmington High School & Wilmington College and Lakota West high schools. Dr. Kremchek treats professional athletes from a variety of sports and all levels of competition. He has performed Tommy John Surgery (ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction) on dozens of MLB pitchers, as well as many minor league and college ballplayers. Because of the drastic increase in the number of cases requiring Tommy John surgery, Dr. Kremchek has become one of the most outspoken voices in Southwestern Ohio regarding pitch counts in youth baseball.
Anthony and his wife Dede have two children, Michael (wife, Emily) and Michelle (husband, Luke Trenz), and 11 grandchildren. He is a true family man, who also stays active in the community, sharing his persistent message to overcome adversity and give back. The former Cincinnati Bengals star has logged two decades of high-profile charitable work and youth advocacy since retiring from the game in 1992. A true hometown hero, Anthony continues to give his time and dedication to serving the youth of Greater Cincinnati. For more information, visit the Anthony Munoz Foundation's website: www.munozfoundation.org.
Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000 with Current Miss OH & IN will appear with Jake Sweeney position (#32).
Kinley Shoemaker, Miss Indiana 2025 Kinley Shoemaker is a Butler University junior and Morton-Finney Diversity Leadership Scholar pursuing Strategic Communication with minors in Journalism and Creative Media & Entertainment. She serves as an emcee for the Indianapolis Indians baseball team and the Butler University basketball team, and has modeled for various national brands. Kinley’s service initiative, RISE then SHINE, focuses on empowering survivors of trauma through community engagement and advocacy. A key vocalist with a love for musical theater, Kinley adores her Ohio roots, having grown up in Mansfield, OH, and even in Cincinnati, OH, before moving to Indiana!
Olivia Fosson, Miss Ohio 2025, Olivia Fosson is a Juris Doctor Candidate at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a musical theatre graduate of Oklahoma City University. After an injury in college caused permanent nerve damage, Olivia turned her experience into purpose, launching Body Neutral: Connect, Create, Celebrate - a statewide program that empowers people of all ages to cultivate self-worth beyond body image. Last year, she published her first children’s book, “Rocky’s Race,” which teaches the fundamentals of healthy living - nutrition, movement, and rest - to young children. She also serves as a national ambassador for Project HEAL and the WithAll Organization. Raised on a Christmas tree farm in Appalachian Ohio, Olivia is proud to amplify her community and inspire young Appalachian girls to believe they can move mountains.
The Cincinnati Beard Barons will host the Big Whisker Revival at Southgate House on Oct 7th to raise money for the Barracks Project, which helps honorably discharged veterans reintegrate back into the civilian community. Cincinnati Beard Barons has raised over $45,000.00 the past 5 years.
Bearcats Basketball Players will appear with Sam Adams entry (Position #98).
Former University of Cincinnati Bearcat Basketball Star Players.
Corie Blount: UC 1992-93, 1992 Final 4; 11 Seasons in the NBA, primarily with Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns
Melvin Levett: UC 1996-99; UC single-game record for three-pointers (10) vs E. KY; Cincinnati Stuff (IBL); Harlem Globetrotters; Kentucky Pro Cats
Damon Flint: UC 1994-97; 2x Elite Eight; OHSBCA Mr. Basketball; Cincinnati Stuff (IBL); Kentucky Pro Cats
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.
Michael is married to his high school sweetheart Laura, and they have three wonderful children(Dominic, Lariah, Carter). He currently resides in Maineville, OH. Their favorite family activities include traveling, camping, sporting events, and movies nights.
Suncrest Hospice, based in West Chester, Ohio, provides compassionate care to patients in the comfort of the places they call home, with regular visits of up to seven times a week.
*As part of their commitment to giving back, Suncrest Hospice enlisted local retired Vietnam veteran Frank Vandeberg to design and build their float for opening day.The organization is thrilled to be part of the community tradition that many of its team members grew up attending.