MINSTER – The Minster Oktoberfest Parade Committee announced this year’s 45th grand marshal as Charles Hoying.
Hoying has been involved in the community for the majority of his life.
“Charles Hoying’s actions as a community member has exceeded all expectations of any resident, as well as those required to be selected as our 45th grand marshal,” Parade Chairperson Rodney Arnold said.
Hoying’s continued commitment to the community and the values he sets forth have been a true blessing for current and future generations of Minster, according to the Parade Committee.
Hoying began his service to the nation as part of the U.S. Army’s 35th Regimental combat team during the Korean War after which he returned to Minster to continue his service to others. He took on employment at Minster Machine Co. to work there for 43 years in the pattern shop, showing his commitment to a job well done.
As a member of the community, Hoying took it upon himself to be a Cub Scout master in hopes of helping the Minster youth understand the values and responsibility of serving their community. He was one of the first members of the committee that formed the Minster Area Life Squad and took on the responsibility of treasurer for that same committee.
According to the Parade Committee, there are many things that Hoying has done to serve the betterment of the community such as quietly working the gate for all home football games for more than 40 years and helping build the stadium’s bleachers. Among all his volunteer hours, perhaps his greatest accomplishments were those of designing and building the replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that follows local VFW Post No. 6432 through many local parades, as well as, what stands today as the center of all community events, the Centennial Park gazebo.
Hoying did all of these things with the greatest of humility, according to the Parade Committee, not asking for any acclaim or recognition but just the knowledge that it was bettering the community in which he lives.
When told of his selection as grand marshal, he replied, “I don’t think I’m worthy of this honor. I don’t think I’ve done enough.”
This year community members won’t see Hoying sitting in his spot of 44 years on the corner of Lincoln and 4th. On this 45th year his spot is at the front of the parade.
The Minster Oktoberfest will be Oct. 4-6. The parade will kick off at 2 p.m. Oct. 6.
