Truitt to serve as grand marshal for the BBQ Parade

DECATUR — Leonard Truitt will serve as the grand marshal of the 59th Annual Decatur Barbecue Festival Parade.

This year will be the first time in recent history that the Barbecue parade will feature a grand marshal. Truitt was the unanimous choice of a committee of Chamber of Commerce members for the position, according to Chamber of Commerce president David Flynt.

“He’s been around a long time, he’s still working and he’s been a big part of our community. We just want to give him a little bit of honor and make him the grand marshal of our parade,” Flynt said.

At the age of 94, Truitt is Decatur’s longest lifetime citizen. He was born on a small farm northwest of town, near where he still lives, and attended Decatur schools. Truitt is still employed at Simmons Foods and said he has been blessed with good health and still doesn’t take any prescription medications.

Truitt will lead the parade in a oldfashioned covered wagon pulled by horses and driven by Decatur resident Tommy Turner.