This year’s grand marshals are no strangers to Wallowa County, where they have made this mountainous valley their home for the past 37 years. One of them was even a graduate from Enterprise High School a few years back ;). This dynamic duo has been active volunteers in many organizations and programs that help to make Wallowa County the special place that it is. Both have served as business owners and earned a variety of accolades recognizing them as passionate, driven, and stalwarts to the community and family they so dearly love. 

Of the pair, one has dedicated over 25 years to serving as a 4-H leader and contributing to the Wallowa County 4-H Leaders Association Board. As a volunteer, she has accompanied numerous 4-H and FFA trips (and continues to do so), even journeying as far as Atlanta, Georgia, for the National 4-H Congress. Additionally, she contributed her expertise to the Oregon State Fair 4-H Board for many years, playing a key role in organizing the state horse show. Her commitment to 4-H at both the local and state levels was honored by Oregon State University, where she received the OSU Extension Cooperator Award. The other partner in crime was an active member of the Elks Lodge where he contributed numerous hours to community events and assisted a variety of activities to help children. This individual served as the Exalted Ruler of the Elks and he was also recognized for his hard work and dedication to the Elgin Chamber of Commerce. Both individuals were recognized by the Oregon FFA Association for their Honorary State Degree in 2006 for their dedication and service to the local and state FFA associations.  

The influential duo became involved in Chief Joseph Days after their oldest daughter was crowned Queen in 1996. This involvement was a good decision, as their other two daughters followed suit in earning the honor of wearing the crown in 1998 and again in 2004.

 This unstoppable pair went on to serve CJD in various capacities, with the female counterpart actively participating on the board of directors with the support of her loving companion. She contributed her expertise to several committees including: Alcohol, Coronation, Tough Enough to Wear Pink, Family Night, Court Chaperone, and the cowboy breakfast, to name a few. Additionally, this inspiring woman served as the Joseph Chamber President for CJD twice and holds the distinction of being the first and only female CJD President to date, since the organization's transition to a corporation. During her tenure as TETWP Chairman, she spearheaded the Miles for Mammograms walk, which continues to this day, raising over $35,000 to support local women in need of financial assistance for mammograms and additional diagnostics at Wallowa Memorial Hospital.

This fun having and altruistic couple represented CJD for many years by traveling to and attending meetings at the Columbia River Circuit Finals and the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, where they may have played a round or two of Tiara Bingo. The lady was even honored with the Justin Outstanding Committee person of the Year award as well as her PRCA Gold Card before retiring from the board in 2020.

They are now both enjoying retirement by spending lots of time with their family and going on adventures in their travel trailer.  If you ask them about their most significant accomplishment, they would both tell you it was raising their three accomplished daughters, who they like to say are contributing members of society.  All three of their daughters reside in Wallowa County with their families, keeping this unstoppable pair quite busy with eight awesome grandkids ranging in age from five to twenty-three. Tonight it brings our family great honor to be able to announce this year’s grand marshalls, Doris and Scott Noland.