At the March 10 Friends of Windjammer Days committee meeting, Street Parade chair Stephanie Hawke announced the parade sub-committee’s decision to ask Mark and Dianne Gimbel to be this year’s grand marshals.

The Gimbels were quite surprised, but graciously accepted the honor, to the Friends’ applause.

Said Hawke, “They are the faces behind the magic of the Windjammer Days Festival. It takes a lot of coordination, negotiation, and leadership to pull together a week-long festival fueled by volunteers. Di and Mark are fearless leaders who work tirelessly alongside the many volunteers to make the week come alive. It is fitting that on this year of special events celebrating Maine's Bicentennial that we also recognize these two special people!”