Grand Marshall Felton Will Lead Xenia Festival Parade

President Herman J. Felton, Jr. of Wilberforce University has agreed to be 2016 Grand Marshall of the Xenia Community Festival's annual parade September 17. Dr Felton is stepping in due to Dr Freeman's recent retirement. The Festival Committee wished to recognize the revitalization of the historic institution and the celebration of its 160th anniversary this year.

Before joining Wilberforce University, Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr. was the senior vice president, COO and vice president of institutional advancement at Livingstone College, where he provided executive level leadership in the areas of strategic planning, fund raising, management, administration and assessment while overseeing all day-to-day operations for the college.

A co-founder of the Higher Education Leadership Foundation, Dr. Felton is committed to ensuring HBCUs identify and cultivate the next pipeline of highly skilled, transformational, and principled leaders. Dr. Felton received his Juris Doctor from the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida, and his bachelor's degree in political science from Edward Waters College. Dr. Felton also served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years.

In addition to the Parade, the 2016 Festival will feature paddleboats on the lake, food, vendors, the bike rodeo, a Balloon Glow, the Third Annual Junked Bike Art Competition, and free live local entertainment headlined by Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers Saturday night. The Festival will be open from 4 pm to 9 pm Friday and 9 am to 9 pm Saturday. The opening ceremony will begin at 6 pm Friday.