Grand Marshals

Vietnam Veterans from Brighton named 2018 Grand Marshals

The 2018 Whoopee Days celebration focused on honoring the men and women who served or are serving in the armed forces. The honor of Grand Marshal went to Brighton men who served during the Vietnam War. They included Richard Long, Ed Owen, Ken Pringle, Tom Soenke, Ron Rich, Dan Callahan, Steve Jaynes, Tom Fluharty, Jim Hesseltine, Bob Shelengoski and Tony Crile.

Jayneses named 2017 Whoopee Days Grand Marshals

Long-time Brighton residents Steve and Rose Jaynes have been named as Grand Marshals for the 2017 Whoopee Day Parade.

Serving as Grand Marshals, the Jayneses will be at many Whoopee Days events and will be introduced at 7 p.m. June 15. They also will be riding in the annual parade at 10 a.m. June 17.

Steve and Rose Jaynes moved to Brighton in May of 1982 when they purchased BJ’s Convenience Store from Glen and Betty Mullikin. Under their ownership BJ’s served as the unofficial “Welcome Center” of Brighton for 33 years, until they retired in August of 2015 and BJ’s closed.

Steve and Rose have taken an active part in the community they call home. Rose served on the Brighton City Council for 12 years, the Washington School Board for six years, and the Brighton Chamber of Commerce. She was instrumental in getting rural water as a backup water system for the Brighton and also in creating the information Kiosk near the entrance to Lake Darling. Rose also worked with a group to rename a portion of Highways 1 & 78 the Ding Darling Highway.

Steve and Rose were early members of the Brighton Economic Development Group and have been longtime members of the Brighton Chamber.

When asked what makes Brighton special, Steve said without hesitation, “The people. The people in Brighton are accepting of new residents. They are friendly, courteous, helpful and look after each other. Brighton is typical of small town Iowa,” he said. With pride in his voice Steve added, “We always have people willing to step forward and serve on the city council, volunteer fire department, First Responders, whatever is needed.”

The Jayneses have three children: Micah, Stephanie and Carrie and eight grandchildren ranging in age from 1 to 16 years old They will celebrate 50 years of marriage in August of this year.

Long-time Brighton couple - Merril & Sue Lucas - named 2015 Whoopee Days Grand Marshals

Merrill & Sue Lucas, long-time Brighton residents, will serve as the 2015 Whoopee Days Grand Marshal. (Photo courtesy The Lucas Family)

Brighton area residents Merrill and Sue Lucas will serve 105th Whoopee Days Grand Marshals from June 18-21, 2015.

The couple was nominated by fellow Brighton residents, and were selected by Brighton Chamber members. The Lucases were chosen for the long-time commitment to the community, their work in Brighton, and their work and support of conservation.

Merrill Lucas was born in Fairfield and raised in Pleasant Plain. Sue (Merz) Lucas was born in Washington and grew up in Harper. The couple met and were married in 1970 in Harper. While neither Merrill nor Sue were born and raised in Brighton, the couple moved to the area shortly after saying “I do” and have called the town home for 43 years.

In 1973, Merrill began his career as Lake Darling Park Manager. He retired from full-time work in December 2014. However, he went back to work part-time in March. In 1978, Sue began working at the Brighton Elementary School where she served as the principal’s secretary. When the school closed, she transferred to Washington high School and worked at the guidance counselor’s secretary for three years. After leaving WHS, she went to work at Halcyon House as the office manager, a position she stayed in until retirement in August 2012. After retirement she worked for a short time with Farm Bureau Office in Washington.

The Lucases have two children: Monica Lawson and husband Mike of Altoona, and Nathan Lucas and wife Tanya of Richland; they also have three grandchildren Ashley Lucas, 17, and Hunter Lucas, 15, and Adam Lawson, 8.

As long-time residents the Lucas family has enjoyed Whoopee Days for many years. Now, serving as Grand Marshals, the Lucases will be a part of Whoopee Days history. The couple will be introduced 6:45 p.m. Thursday, June 18, just prior to the annual Bill Riley Talent Show, which begins at 7 p.m. at City Park stage. They also will be riding in the annual parade at 10 a.m. June 20.

“When told we were chose to serve as grand marshal, we both remarked there were so many other people more deserving of the honor,” Sue Lucas said. “We are indeed humbled by the experience of being selected and thank everyone for the support and honor.”

Moores named 2014 Whoopee Days Grand Marshal

Long-time Brighton residents Jack and Doris Moore have been named 104th Whoopee Days Grand Marshals from June 19-22, 2014.

Serving as Grand Marshals, the Moores will be at many Whoopee Days events and will be introduced prior to the annual Bill Riley Talent Show at 7 p.m. June 19. They also will be riding in the annual parade at 10 a.m. June 21.

Jack and Doris Moore moved to Brighton in 1967, when Jack began working at the Rubio Savings Bank of Brighton. Jack worked at the bank for 16 years until opening his own computer business. Jack served in the Army from 1955 until 1957, was a volunteer with the Brighton Volunteer Fire Department. He also was Brighton’s City Clerk for many years while also working at the bank. Doris Moore also has been an active volunteer in the community serving as the leader for the Good Luck 4-H Club, which is still active in Brighton. She also worked as a teacher’s aide at the Brighton schools.

The Moores have three children: Peg Harris (and husband John) of Washington, John Moore (and wife Annette) of North Hollywood, Calif., and Jeff Moore of Brighton; five grandkids and five great-grandkids.

Whoopee Days Grand Marshals

Paul Hagist - Previous Grand Marshal