The Herald-News - News Story

Rhea County's renown Strawberry Festival, coming for the 63rd year this May, will be more than a chance for families to kick off the summer and enjoy food, fun and community. It'll give Rhea County citizens a chance to honor one of their own.

The planning committee has chosen Don Mathis to lead the Strawberry Parade on May 15 as the grand marshal.

"There's a lot of thinking that goes into the grand marshal selection," said Dayton Chamber of Commerce President Kerry Nabors. "We're looking for someone who has a long-term impact in the community, who has been influential and who a lot of people know and respect. All of those ingredients Mr. Mathis certainly fulfilled."

The decision was a surprise to Mathis, who said he didn't even know his name was on the list.

"It was a shock to me," he said. "I feel honored."

Mathis is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major who served two decades as Rhea County's veterans' service officer. He was recently elected state commander over Tennessee's
American Legion and now oversees 190 posts and 30,000 legionnaires in the state.

Nabors said that when the festival committee first sat down to select a grand marshal for this year's parade, they had tossed around some names, but when Mathis' name was mentioned, there was instant, unanimous approval.

Randy Wells, official coordinator of the 2010 Strawberry Festival, attested to the committee's enthusiastic choice.

"Everybody thought that he'd be an outstanding choice," said Wells. "We all thought it was a great idea, and he's graciously accepted."

Mathis joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954 and traveled around the world, serving in Japan and Vietnam. After 21 years, he retired and came to work in Dayton at Kayser-Roth Hosiery
Company and later Robinson Manufacturing Company. After working at these companies, he turned his attention to his role as Rhea County's veterans' service officer, where he served dedicatedly for 23 years.

Though the beloved festival is still months away, plans for the Strawberry Festival's events are in full swing, according to Wells.

This year's theme is "Strawberry Masquerade" and instead of the traditional weekend rodeo, the committee is looking at the possibility of showcasing a magician or escape artist performance.

Favorite music artists will get the chance to display their talent, including bands like Boys' Night Out, Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain, James Cain and other various local groups.

"The festival will be very family oriented," said Wells. "It should be great fun."

Elisabeth Hollingsworth can be reached at elisabeth.hollingsworth@rheaheraldnews.com.