Ron Gates named Grand Marshal for Girard Fall Festival parade

BY PHILIP STEVENS

HOMETOWN GIRARD

▸▸ This Saturday, the Girard Fall Festival will have a special guest leading its annual parade: Ron Gates, a long-time community member and seasoned world traveler, has been named Grand Marshal for this year’s event. His selection celebrates his deep roots in the Girard community and his numerous contributions and unique life experiences that have made him a well-known and respected figure.

“I was surprised and honored when I was asked to be Grand Marshal,” Gates said when asked about his reaction to being asked for the honor. “It wasn’t something I expected or even thought about, but it’s a privilege to be asked.”

Gates, a 1963 graduate of Girard High School, has spent much of his life traveling the world, working in television, and running various businesses before eventually returning to his hometown, Girard.

Ron’s career began in broadcasting. After graduating from high school, he started working at KOAM-TV, graduated from Pittsburg State University, and later moved to pursue bigger opportunities in the industry. Over the course of his career, he worked at stations across the country, including Fort Smith, Arkansas; Miami, Florida; Hartford, Connecticut; and Buffalo, New York, where he held various roles, including executive producer and director of creative services at multiple media stations.

In addition to his television career, Gates also ran a successful trade show display business in upstate New York before an unfortunate partnership fallout led him to move on. Despite the challenges, Ron persevered, eventually selling the business and shifting his focus to other ventures and personal projects.

His journey has taken him to every corner of the globe. He has traveled to all 50 states and visited 34 countries across seven continents, chasing his passion for photography and exploring the world’s natural wonders. From capturing images of bears in Alaska to jaguars in Brazil and red-crowned cranes in Japan, Gates’ lens has seen it all. Recently, he completed his 50th state when he visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota.

In 2013, after more than 50 years away, Gates returned to Girard with his partner, Jean Nichols, whom he reconnected with at their 25th high school reunion. Settling back in his hometown, Gates immersed himself in the local community. He took up photography again, this time capturing Girard High School sports events. It started with football, he says, but soon expanded to cover basketball, baseball, and other sports.

“I just enjoy it,” Gates explained. “It gives me something to do when I’m not traveling, and it keeps me involved in the community.” His photographs are widely appreciated by students, parents, and locals who value the moments he captures, whether it’s a touchdown celebration or a quiet moment of determination on the basketball court.

Ron’s impact goes beyond photography. He’s been an active member of the Girard E-Community since its inception and has also helped initiate local events such as Art on the Square, showcasing local artisans’ work in various storefronts around town. His involvement has helped foster a sense of community and connection among residents.

In addition to his many contributions to the Girard community, Ron Gates is also known for his role as a writer and photographer for the Hometown Girard newspaper. One of his most notable projects has been the “Girard at Work” series, which profiles local residents in their workplaces, highlighting the unique and varied roles people play in making the community thrive. Originally envisioned as a short-term project, the series expanded and has run for several years, showcasing Ron’s dedication to storytelling. Beyond “Girard at Work,” Ron has stepped in to cover various community events when other reporters are unavailable and he has contributed countless photographs to the paper, capturing everything from parades to sporting events. His work not only informs but also serves as a visual record of life in Girard, preserving memories for future generations.

“I am extremely grateful to Ron for all of his help over the years, especially since I’ve owned the newspaper beginning in February 2020,” comments Philip Stevens, current owner and publisher of Hometown Girard. “Ron is an honest sounding-board for ideas. He critiques and encourages to help make our hometown newspaper the best it can be. More than just talk, Ron steps in and helps in my times of need, which is why I call him a friend,” adds Stevens.

As Grand Marshal, Gates will lead the parade in a vehicle and then he plans to return to his usual spot—behind the camera—to capture the festivities. He’s eager to document the parade in his unique way, taking photos before he hops into the Grand Marshal vehicle and again after his ride is complete. “I think it’s just another part of being able to contribute in a small way,” he said. “A lot of people may not even know who I am, but hopefully, through my photography, they’ll have a record of these special moments.”

Gates has fond memories of the Fall Festival parade, both as a participant and as a spectator. “I marched in the high school band when I was a kid, and now I take pictures of the parade every year and give them to the Chamber,” he said. “This year, as Grand Marshal, I’ll still take a few pictures before I ride around and then get off at the very end to shoot the rest of the parade as it comes by.”

Gates believes in the importance of community events like the Fall Festival and the role they play in bringing people together. “It’s a great feeling of community,” he said. “There’s always a little bit of something for everyone—the chamber has really gone out of its way to have a lot of different activities, whether it’s the FFA petting zoo, the kids’ tractor pull, or just people driving by on tractors.”

He encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities, emphasizing that there are activities for all ages and income levels. “You don’t have to come and spend a fortune to be a part of anything that goes on here,” he added.

When asked what advice he’d give to others who want to make a positive impact on their community, Gates’s message was simple: “Just get involved. You don’t have to run it; just be a part of it.” He believes that participation, no matter how small, is what helps build a strong, vibrant community.

As Ron Gates takes the role of Grand Marshal this Saturday, it’s clear that he’s not just a leader of the parade but also a cherished leader within the community. His story serves as a reminder that no matter how far one’s journey takes them, there’s always value in returning home and making a difference.

The Girard Fall Festival Parade will take place on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. heading east on Forest Ave. Be sure to give a warm welcome to Grand Marshal Ron Gates as he leads this year’s celebration.