In honor of the 30th anniversary of Wake Forest Downtown, Inc.(WFD), four of the organization’s founding board members will serve as Grand Marshals in this year’s Wake Forest Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m. in historic downtown along S. White, Wait and Brooks streets.

The organization, whose mission is to foster the health and vitality of downtown Wake Forest, was founded in 1985 as the Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization Corporation. In 2013, its name changed to Wake Forest Downtown, Inc.

The 2015 Wake Forest Christmas Parade Grand Marshals are John Lyon, John Rich, James Warren and Blanche McPhatter, the founding board members of Wake Forest Downtown Inc. They will be honored during a dignitary lunch and then will ride on the 30th Anniversary WFD float during the parade.

Thomas Byrne, a New York Yankees pitcher who chose Wake Forest as his home when he retired in 1957, was also a founding board member. He died in 2007.

All past Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization Corporation and Wake Forest Downtown, Inc., board members from the years of 1985-2015 are invited to also ride on the float. They may contact Downtown Development Director Lisa Hayes, lisa@wakeforestdowntown.com or meet at 12:30 p.m. at the parade float line-up area to the south of Elm Street on South White.

“It’s our 30th anniversary and we’re proud to recognize those who helped revitalize our downtown into what it’s become today,” said Michael Johnson, WFD’s current Board Chair. “We invite everyone who has served as a board member to join our founding members on the parade float so we can honor and thank you for your service to our community.”

In the summer of 1985, a group of local business people, merchants, and politicians gathered at the home of then-Mayor John Lyon for an informal discussion of how the small town of 6500 residents could revitalize its sagging downtown economy.

Out of the meeting emerged the Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization Corporation. By 1986, its first staff person was hired to oversee the non-profit organization. It’s achieved many milestones over the years. Today, with the support of the Town of Wake Forest, a dedicated group of volunteers continues its work to promote downtown through events such as Beach Night on White, Art After Hours, Dirt Day and the Classic Car Show. Beginning in the spring, WFD will host free Friday Night on White concerts during the 2nd Friday of each month.