I used to joke with a friend of mine that I’ll know I'm a big deal the day I get to be the grand marshal in a parade. Well, my time has come.

I have the honor of serving as grand marshal of the Christmas on Main Street parade this Saturday in Thompson Falls.

What is the grand marshal of a parade, and what does that person do? Typically, the grand marshal is a position of honor and takes the lead in the processional. The duties are often given to a community leader or well-known business person. And when it comes to folks who have held that position in other parades – Shirley Temple, Bob Hope, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Kermit the Frog – it appears I am in very good company.

When a fellow Chamber of Commerce board member called me last week to let me know I was chosen, I was hesitant to accept. I had read the nomination letter, and it was so nice to read and see what other people recognize as my contributions to our community. There were fabulous other nominations as well.

Eventually I agreed, and since then, the idea has grown on me. As I began to tell people that I had been chosen as grand marshal, it was actually really exciting to see their reactions. I'm truly honored to be chosen, though I'm still not great at taking recognition.

I do recognize that being chosen as grand marshal of a community’s annual Christmas parade is very much an honor. I’m joining an awesome list of previous grand marshals who take great pride in our community and have worked to make it better. This is not about me personally, though.

The bigger deal is this: The community chose to recognize the editor of a newspaper. This speaks volumes about what our town considers important. Namely, that we still see the need for local news. We desire information. We support local businesses. We value reading, understanding, knowledge, awareness and community involvement. And we hold journalists in high esteem. That, my readers, is the message Thompson Falls is sending by nominating me, and I thank you.

Traditionally, I would write an article about the grand marshal and feature it in this week's paper. But you hear enough from me in this editorial space every week. Instead, just know that this grand marshal hopes to represent you all well – not just in the parade on Saturday, but in the press every day. — Annie Wooden