Former Frankfort Mayor Honored In Fall Fest Parade

FRANKFORT, IL — Former Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland may have retired earlier this year from a life of public service, but he had time to put in one more special appearance Sunday as the grand marshal of the Frankfort Fall Festival Parade.

"It's a great honor to have been selected as the grand marshal of the Frankfort Fall Fest Parade," Holland said. "I was very appreciative of those who were involved in the selection process, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself."

Holland and his wife, Stacy, rode in the parade in a red 1965 Cadillac El Dorado convertible courtesy of the Frankfort Car Club. It was the first time in the past 22 years that Holland got to ride in the parade instead of walk, either as a Village trustee or as mayor.

"It was rewarding," Holland said of the experience. "There were many people who recognized me along the parade route and either clapped or waved or said, 'Hello,' or 'Happy retirement' or 'You did a great job.' There were a lot of very, very nice comments. And when you're an elected official you don't hear compliments all the time, that's for sure."

Holland endeared himself to the people of Frankfort, serving as a Village trustee for six years before serving as mayor for the last 16 years. Holland announced his intention to retire in September last year so that others could prepare to take the seat he held for so long.

Holland said he and his wife are quite content being private citizens now. The free time has allowed the couple to travel more and spend time with family.

"I miss a lot of the job, but it was time to retire," he said. "My wife and I wanted to spend some time traveling, we wanted to see more of our family and our grandson. And there are lots of younger people in Frankfort. I've heard great new ideas, and I think it was time for me to decide to not run again."

Frankfort's current Mayor Keith Ogle had high praise for his predecessor.

“I was very pleased to learn that former Mayor Jim Holland had been selected as the grand marshal for this year’s parade,"Ogle said. "Jim and his wife Stacy have given selflessly of their time and talents to make Frankfort an exceptional community. As we brought back the Frankfort Fall Festival this year, I can think of no one who deserves that honor more.”

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