Roberto Fred, a well-known local farmer, has been named grand marshal for the 44th annual Fredonia Farm Festival Parade which gets under way at 1 p.m. along Temple Street in the village.
The lineup for the grand parade starts at noon on Risley Street. The parade route will proceed south on Temple Street then the units will disband between the Barker Common parks.
Born July 5, 1954, in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, Fred came to the United States on June 11, 1969 and has lived in this country since that time.
He worked for local grape farmer Russell Joy for 20 years before becoming an independent farmer. For the past 21 years, Fred has operated his own 450-acre farm on Temple Road in the town of Dunkirk, growing Concord and Niagara grapes.
Married to the former Milagros Agosto, the couple have five children. The Fred family resides at 10655 Temple Road.
"I would like to thank Russell Joy for getting me started in grape farming," Fred remarked.
Jen Merrill is the master of ceremonies. Organizer Melissa Thompson of Fredonia said numerous fire departments will march in the Farm Festival Parade along with various groups from the region. About 30 units have signed up so far to participate in this year's parade.
For more information on the Farm Festival Parade, contact Melissa Thompson at 969-7451.
