Nelle Reagan was named Grand Marshal of the 2012 Rome Christmas Parade on Tuesday. (Brittany Hannah / Rome News-Tribune)
“It’s like a dream come true that you don’t expect, but when it really happens it’s just so fulfilling,” said Reagan on Tuesday at Coosa Country Club where the announcement was made. “I’m just kind of overwhelmed and I love it. I just love this town so much.”
The parade will be Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Rome. It will go up Broad Street from First Avenue to Riverside Parkway.
“Each year a hometown hero is selected, and Mrs. Reagan has spent a lifetime promoting every aspect of this community. She is a great choice to honor this year,” said Parade Chairman Jerry Rucker.
Reagan has worked in broadcasting for more than 50 years. She is currently the public affairs director for Rome Radio Partners LLC and serves as host of “Around and About.”
She has served with Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful, the Shorter University Board of Visitors, Rome Symphony Orchestra Auxillary and others.
She is married to LeBron Reagan and they have two children, Jimmy Reagan and Lynne Barton.
“It’s hard to really put a lifetime into a very short sentence for everything she’s done and given to the community, but I know she means the world to her family,” said committee member Janet Byington.
Reagan’s extended family attended the announcement, including her husband, son, daughter, son-in-law Ken Barton and grandsons David Barton and Nick Barton.
Parade lovers will get another chance to celebrate Christmas in Cave Spring next month.
Cave Spring’s annual Christmas parade will be downtown at 6 p.m. on Dec. 8.
Rome News-Tribune Photographer Brittany Hannah contributed to this report.
-- Marshal Dillon, Wyatt Earp was a Marshal. You get the idea ONE (1) L. Always, forever. Thank you.