Recently retired fire chief named parade grand marshal
The West Liberty Lions Club is making preparations for the 56th annual Labor Day Festival, which kicks off Saturday, Sept. 4, and continues through Monday, Sept. 6, at Lions Park.
Recently retired West Liberty Fire Department Fire Chief Conrad Hostetler has been named the grand marshal for the parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, alongside the classic car cruise-in.
Hostetler served on the fire department for 41 years, including the last seven years as fire chief. He also served 10 years on the police department. In 1987, he was honored with the Law Enforcement of the Year award, and in 1986, he received the West Liberty Firefighter of the Year award.
“We thank Conrad for his years of service to our community, and are proud to honor him as our Grand Marshal,” organizers said.
A lifelong West Liberty area resident, the grand marshal fondly recalls the Labor Day Festival and being excited to see his classmates prior to the start of the school year, along with listening to the steam engines and the wheat thrashing.
He also worked at Liberty Oil & Gas for 18 years, and then became co-owner with his brother for another 19 years.
Together, he and his wife, Ginny, have six children and 14 grandchildren.
In his spare time, Hostetler enjoys flying radio-controlled airplanes, gardening, lawn work and camping. His retirement plans are to travel and “not set an alarm clock,” he said.
Also this weekend, the West Liberty Lions Club will honor Dr. Evan Dixon as the Lion of the Year.
A member of the West Liberty Lions Club since 2018, Dr. Dixon and his wife, Kathy, reside in West Liberty. He has worked for 40 years as a cardiologist in Bellefontaine and Columbus, employed by Ohio State University Hospitals.
He also recently honored with the newly established Dr. Evan Dixon Medical Education Fund through the Mary Rutan Foundation, as previously reported in the Examiner.
Following his graduation from The Ohio State University, Dr. Dixon went on to have a successful military career. He served in the U.S Army from 1969 until his retirement in 2003 as a full Colonel. Dr. Dixon received multiple Army Commendation Medals, along with a Distinguished Service Medal.
Among his previous recognitions include: Chief Medical Resident at Ohio State University Hospitals (by invitation); Distinguished OSU Medical Alumnus (first year of this award); Man of the Year Award at Mary Rutan Hospital; Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award by the OSU Family Medicine Residency Program.
“I have been honored to work with an outstanding group of physicians and medical providers serving our community,” he said. “I have been honored to serve with the Lions Club and American Legion — talented and generous people who help care for our community in an authentic way.”
Dr. Dixon also served on the West Liberty-Salem board of education for several years.
He said his favorite Labor Day Festival memories include the parade, Bingo, the chicken dinner and “renewing old friends and acquaintances.”
Regarding the classic car cruise-in, pre-registration is mandatory at www.westlibertylions.org.
Following the parade and cruise-in, the West Liberty-Salem band performs at 12:30 p.m. and show choir at 2 p.m.
A garden tractor pull is at 2 p.m. Saturday, and volleyball tournament at 4 p.m.
Sunday morning, an antique tractor pull begins at 10 a.m., with registration from 9 to 10 a.m. A student wiffle ball tournament and late night basketball championship also takes place Sunday.
Monday, a pancake breakfast is planned from 7 to 11 a.m., and sunrise yoga at 7:30 a.m., followed by many Family Day activities.
The antique power equipment show is featured throughout the weekend, along with a flea market and craft tent, food vendors, sawmill demonstrations, duck races offered by the West Liberty-Salem cheerleaders, a secure petting zoo, pony rides, barrel train rides.
For additional details and registration information, visit the West Liberty Lions Club Facebook page or website.