YOUR SUMMER GLOW
Page 12 Monticello Riverfest • Thursday, July 2, 2026 monticellotimes. com
Riverfest will reunite generations of past Citizens of the Year
LAUREN FLAUM MONTICELLO TIMES
When Riverfest celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, the spotlight won’ t just be on the festival itself.
It will also shine on the people who helped build the community it celebrates.
As part of the milestone year, organizers are inviting past Citizens of the Year to participate in the Riverfest Parade on Sunday, July 12, bringing together many of the volunteers, civic leaders, educators, business owners and community advocates who have helped shape Monticello over the past five decades.
The idea was proposed by longtime Riverfest volunteer and Citizen of the Year facilitator Wes Olson, who saw the anniversary as an opportunity to recognize the men and women whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the community.
“ We’ ve had some incredible people receive this award over the years,” Olson said.“ I hope people take away an appreciation for what these individuals have done for the community.”
To accommodate participants, organizers have secured two large pontoons from MarineMax. The boats will carry former honorees in the parade immediately behind the current Citizen of the Year. Large banners listing past recipients are also being created for display during the event.
Olson said the tribute is intended not only to celebrate individual recipients, but also to highlight the spirit of volunteerism that has long defined Monticello.
“ It’ s not just these people,” he said.“ There are a lot of people who didn’ t get this award who deserve something because this community is incredible. There are a lot of really good people
in this community.”
The Citizen of the Year tradition has become one of Riverfest’ s most enduring honors. Each year, representatives from local civic organizations review nominations and select an individual whose service extends beyond professional responsibilities and demonstrates a commitment to improving the community.
The award has recognized a wide variety of contributions over the years, from volunteer leadership and charitable work to educational, civic and cultural accomplishments.
Looking down the list of recipients is, in many ways, a walk through Monticello’ s modern history.
Among those honored over the years are longtime educators, business owners, city leaders, nonprofit volunteers and community advocates. Some remain active in local organizations today. Others have moved away. Many have passed on, leaving behind legacies that continue to influence the community.
Olson hopes bringing past recipients together will offer residents a chance to reflect on that history.
“ These are people who were very positive influencers in our community,” he said.
The reunion also serves as a reminder that many of Monticello’ s most important accomplishments have been driven by volunteers.
From Riverfest itself to local fundraising efforts, parks, community events, service clubs and charitable organizations, generations of residents have donated their time and talents to causes they believed would make Monticello a better place to live.
The special parade appearance is not without precedent. Olson said Riverfest recognized former Citizens of the Year during an earlier anniversary celebration, when participants rode in horse-drawn carriages. For the 50th anniversary, organizers opted for pontoons capable of carrying larger groups of honorees.
The hope, Olson said, is that younger residents watching the parade will see more than a collection of familiar faces.
Instead, they’ ll see examples of how one person’ s willingness to get involved can make a difference.
“ There’ s a lot of really good people in this community,” Olson said.“ They want to see things succeed.”
As Riverfest marks a half-century of celebrations, organizers believe honoring those who helped build that tradition is a fitting way to commemorate the milestone. After all, festivals may last a weekend, but the people behind them help shape a community for generations.
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