TimesLeader.com

August 16

Past Grand Marshals were a garden of community champions

Biagio Dente this year’s Grand Marshal

The tradition of naming a Tomato Festival Grand Marshal began in 1990 when Joe Amato, a National Champion drag racer from Old Forge, got the honor for the first time. Since then a Who’s Who list of community-minded Greater Pittston people have had the honor.

This year for the festival’s 26th anniversary the 2009 Grand Marshall is Biagio Dente

Previous Grand Marshalls

1990

Joseph Amato

1991

Eleanor Adonizio and

Dolly Saporito

1992

Michael Insalaco

1993

Mayor Thomas Walsh

1994

Samuel Falcone

1995

Joseph Joyce

1996

Albert Melone and

Margaret Labarre Daniels

1997

Arthur Bartolai

1998

John Grimes and

Mae Reddington McHugh

1999

Robert Conroy, Sr.

2000

Maria Capolarella Montante

2001

Michael Marranca

2002

Russell Gunton

2003

Father Robert Romano

2004

Local officials: Mayor Michael

Lombardo, John Gavigan,

Chris Latona, Ken Bangs, Phil

Campenni, Donna Connors,

Charles Infantino, Gerry

Mullarkey, Savino Bonita,

Police Chief Paul Porfirio, Fire

Chief Frank Roman, and

Representative Tom Tigue.

2005

Joseph Taviglione

2006

The Joyce Brothers: John,

Joseph, William, David

2007

Val Delia (posthumously)

2008

Tomato Festival volunteers,

vendors, performers and loyal f

estival attendees

2009

Biagio Dente