Kettering's Holiday at Home kickoff

KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) - Organizers of the Holiday at Home in Kettering held their kickoff party Wednesday with a number of announcements about the upcoming parade and festival.

The Holiday at Home parade and festival are held every year on labor day weekend.

Donald Parker, a retired police officer from Centerville of 33 years, was named as the grand marshal of the parade for 2012. Parker recently received his 30 year award of service as a volunteer firefighter/EMT from the Kettering Fire Department. He was a Kettering Fire Department Lieutenant and Battalion Officer as well as Fire Incident Safety officer. He recently survived falling from the roof of his home Christmas Day with many thanks to fellow volunteer firefighters and Para-Medics with the City of Kettering that came to his rescue.

The 2012 Miss Holiday Queen And Court were also announced. The court includes: Queen Nancy Walters
Princesses: Anne Weidner; Justine Templin; Claire Salzman; Jessica Prior.

The 2012 Community Service Award Recipient was given to Bryan Von Der Vellen.

Poster contest winners were also announced:

Grand Prize : Amanda Turner (Fairmont)
Grades 9-12:  1st Place: Morgan Goetz (Fairmont), Honorable Mention: Kylie Kaylor (Fairmont)

5th Grade:  1st Place: Madi Beam (Oakview),  2nd Place: Sophie Hughes (Oakview)

Grades 3 & 4: 1st Place: Nathan Meyer (Prass),  2nd Place: Raelyn Hall (JFK)

Grades 1 & 2: 1st Place: Emma Furr (Prass), 2nd Place: Liesl Kuschnerus (Prass)