Parade Marshal

This year’s Wayne County Fair Parade Marshal is a team, the former Supervisor of Marion, and a prior Fair Board Director, now retired, Jolene and Paul Bender.  Both have always been at or in the Wayne County Fair parade for many years, but never expected to be there as the Parade Marshal. 

Jody and Paul are each transplants (Jodi moving from Chemung County, Paul from Genesee County), but have now lived in Wayne County For over 40 years, and they do consider Wayne County to be their home now.  Together, they have a combination of four sons, and seven grandchildren, who are spread out over many eastern and southern states.  Jodi and Paul have spent many hours at the Fair over the years, and still even return to enjoy “Fair week” as often as they can.

Jody has been involved in local and county politics, and in addition to many years of service (over 50) to the Town of Marion, advancing from Deputy Town Clerk to Town Supervisor, and even returning to service after a prior retirement, she has also served as Chairman of the Marion Republican Party for many years, but she has finally retired from all public service so they can now travel to see those wide-flung children and grandchildren.

Paul has worn many hats.  Attorney, a Marion Town Justice more than 40 years and a Wayne County Fair Board Director for 40 years.  He is a life member of the Marion Fire Department, and he was a past member of Marion Rotary.

Jodi and Paul are currently members of Second Reformed Church (EFCA), and Paul has been an active member of the Gideons for over 40 years.

Jody and Paul have spent many years at and enjoying the Fair.  Jodi, with no farm experience, has still milked goats there on many occasions, she and Paul have eaten more than their share of ice cream and milkshakes, burgers, chicken and more.  Paul, as a Board member, was chiefly dedicated to promotion and presentation of the very popular Demolition Deby and hope to see them in the annual Goat Milking Contest at this year’s fair.

As a Board member, and along with all the current and past Board Members, he has dedicated himself to many years of service to the Fair, mowing the grass, tending the buildings, and over-all making sure that the Wayne County Fair could be the top Fair in New York State.

They have appreciated that the Fair was able to present a program every year for over 169 years, and that we were even able to have a Fair offering during the difficult Covid years.  The Fair does more than offer a fun-filled week in the summer, it also promotes interest in farming and other events and education which does grow and motive leaders for today and the future – it may be “old” but they cannot see a world without our annual Wayne County Fair!   Paul and Jodi are happy to remember what Paul and the Board have accomplished over these many years.