Parade to mark Wildwood’s 30th anniversary; commission invites mayors and Greg Quinn as grand marshals

The Celebrate Wildwood Commission selected a single theme for the 2025 parade — marking the city’s 30th anniversary — and voted to invite former mayors and county council member Greg Quinn to serve as grand marshals or honorary representatives for the celebration.

Staff advised that parade participation and logistics are progressing; vendors and groups from prior years have been invited and staff reported multiple confirmed participants and vendors. Commissioners suggested framing the parade as a local 'homecoming' to encourage former residents and community leaders to return for the milestone; members also discussed recognizing a broader set of founding contributors with pins or honorary distinctions so the parade does not require an excessive number of marshal golf carts.

For grand marshal selections, commissioners proposed inviting living former mayors (Ed Marshall, Tim Werther, Jim Bolan and the current mayor), extend an invitation on behalf of the commission to representatives for the two former mayors who have died, and invite Greg Quinn, who served multiple terms on the county council and was cited by staff for his role in the city's incorporation effort. A motion to invite the mayors and a representative for the two deceased mayors plus Greg Quinn carried by voice vote.

Staff reported the parade date and venue logistics remain under development; staff is working with partners (Desco Group) for staging and with the Historic Preservation Commission and other agencies on related activities for 2025 and preliminary planning for Route 66’s 2026 centennial.