11/20/2018
Mayor John Ditslear announced today that the grand marshal of this year’s Christmas parade will be Jack Martin. The 40th Annual Christmas parade will be held on Sunday, November 25 beginning at 2 p.m.
“I’m extremely honored and humbled. I was surprised and excited about it. I love Noblesville,” Martin said about being asked. “Christmas is my favorite time of year. Everyone loves the Christmas Parade, just like the Fourth of July Parade, it’s the beginning of the season so I look forward to it every year.”
Martin and his wife, Chris, established Martin & Martin Insurance Agency in 1989 and moved it to downtown Noblesville after selling their house and moving to the city in 1993.
“We both just really liked it here. It was different than Carmel, it had the small town feel and people did things on the square. I can’t imagine not always staying in Noblesville now,” he said.
Martin is active in the community through his 10-plus years on the Noblesville Tree Board and Keep Noblesville Beautiful and 17 years on the Noblesville Redevelopment Commission. Martin & Martin Insurance also is part of the city’s Adopt-A-Street program.
“My wife and I feel very fortunate and I think it’s a person’s obligation to give back. We like to support, help sponsor or attend almost any function going on in downtown Noblesville,” he said. “We’ve had a successful business and I think it’s important to give back to the community.”
Martin previously served on the Noblesville Common Council from June 1995 to December 2003. Since January 2004, Martin has served as one of three Board of Works members since Ditslear became mayor.
“Jack’s love for the city is shown continuously through his efforts to better the community as he and Chris are actively involved in or support numerous organizations,” said Ditslear. “In addition to being a successful, downtown business owner, Jack brings experience and leadership to the various city boards he serves on.”
The Christmas Parade starts at 16th and Harrison streets and will travel south on 16th Street to Logan Street, west on Logan to Ninth Street, north on Ninth to Monument Street, and east on Monument to 16th Street where it will end. The last entry in the parade will be Santa Claus himself, making his debut for the season.
Interested in participating? Entry forms will be accepted through Wednesday, November 21. The city is waiving the entry fee to all nonprofits organizations that want to participate. Forms may be downloaded by clicking here or you can register online. Completed forms may be e-mailed to [email protected].
