Ron & Kathy Kazmar To Lead Plainfield Irish Parade

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade will wind its way through downtown Plainfield for the 16th year on Sunday, March 11. Organizers recently announced that the 2018 parade grand marshals will be two very familiar faces in Plainfield.

This year, the honor goes to Ron and Kathy Kazmar, a longtime volunteer and educator, respectively, in the Plainfield school district. It's the second time Kathy Kazmar serve as a parade co-grand marshal. In 2012, she did the honors alongside fellow retired teacher and coach Karen Roppa for the Plainfield Community Homecoming Parade.

The Kazmars are longtime residents and dedicated members of the Plainfield community.

Kathy Kazmar arrived in Plainfield in the fall of 1971, becoming a student teacher at what was then known as Plainfield High School. She went on to spearhead the track program at PHS and became assistant athletic director in 1989 before retiring in 1998. Arriving in Plainfield just as Title IX was passed, Kathy Kazmar was a pioneer for girls athletics in District 202.

Ron Kazmar joined the District 202 board of education in 2001, serving for eight years and taking the role of board president for four years. After stepping down from the board, he continues to serve as board treasurer.

The couple are active members of Saint Mary Immaculate Parish serve on boards with the Greater Joliet YMCA and help coordinate the annual YMCA Giving Gala.

Read more about the Kazmars on the Plainfield Irish Parade website.

Nomination deadline for the Parade Princess is Sunday, Feb. 25. The Plainfield Irish parade steps off at 1 p.m. March 11 from Plainfield Central High School.

Image via Patch file/Greater Joliet Area YMCA