DECATUR — Leonard Truitt, Decatur’s oldest lifelong citizen, will be the grand marshal for the 59th Annual Decatur Barbecue Parade, the chamber of commerce decided on June 4.

This will be the first year for the Decatur Barbecue parade to have a grand marshal and Truitt was picked from a list of four possible candidates, said chamber of commerce president David Flynt.

With just two months until the barbecue, planned for Aug. 4, the chamber spent the meeting making sure all the details for Decatur’s biggest event of the year are in order.

Local businesses have donated enough money to pay for entertainer James Wesley’s performance, but more money is needed topay for the sound system and equipment, Flynt told chamber members. Wesley is a rising country music star who is known for his singles “Didn’t I” and “Real.”

This year’s menu for the Barbecue has been set and will include traditional barbecued chicken dinners as well as barbecued beef sandwiches and hot dogs.

This year’s Barbecue will begin with a fun run at 7 a.m. and will include kids games, a parade, car show, beauty pageant and tinytot contest. The day will end with a free concert in Veterans Park by Wesley at 9 p.m.

The chamber is inviting local entertainers to perform in the park - whether they sing, dance or play an instrument - throughout the day. Those interested are asked to call David Flynt at 466-9797.

News, Pages 8 on 06/20/2012