To contact the Famous Marching Presidents, please direct email to steering chair Nancy Patmont (Julia Grant) at npatmont@gmail.com

The Famous Marching Presidents began 22 years ago when David “Sparky” Parker (Martin Van Buren) decided that Nevada City’s Constitution Day parade begun by Col. William “Bill” Lambert in 1967 needed some new blood and excitement. He recruited friends and fellow history buffs and managed to fill all the presidents’ slots the first year, although there were only a few first ladies.

Since the beginning, the FMP has evolved from an unruly bunch of fun-lovers to a relatively organized group of fun-lovers. Patti Foster joined Sparky in 1997 and until 2008 the two of them juggled all the logistics of putting on the FMP parade including the post-party catering, decorating, publicity and newsletter.

Over the years, the parade has grown to include not only the presidents and the first ladies, but Secret Service representatives as well. In 2007, Sparky was honored with the Lambert Award, named for the Constitution Day parade’s founder and bestowed yearly to a person who has made significant contributions to the community. The following year, Patti Foster was similarly honored

With Sparky and Patti retiring from the FMP in 2008, a steering committee was formed last year to divide up the work and keep the program alive. Phil and Jane Yager hosted weekly meetings in their home and the parade unfolded in the spirit Sparky had envisioned. After a perfect stroll down Broad Street, some 200 revelers filled the historic Miner’s Foundry for the after-parade celebration.

And of course in 2009, the Famous Marching Presidents will include our newly elected President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle in the famous lineup of leadership.

The Famous Marching Presidents’ Steering Committee

FMP CREEP: Famous Marching Presidents Committee to Revive Everyone and Everything Presidential.

Frances Allen (Roselynn Carter)

Bob Buhlis  (James Monroe)

Karen Chizek (Frances Cleveland)

Jim Crowley (Bill Clinton)

Sherrine Crowley (Laura Bush)

Marcy Harrison (Nancy Reagan)

Joel Heppting (James Garfield)

Nancy Patmont (Julia Grant), chair

David Parker (Martin Van Buren)

Noray Sarkisian (John F. Kennedy)

Patty Sarkisian (Marilyn Monroe)

Chris Towne (Thomas Jefferson)

Jane Yager (Lou Hoover)

Phil Yager (Herbert Hoover)

Karen Young (Jane Pierce)

Michael Young (Franklin Pierce)