Our Grand Marshals for the 2025 Rainier Days in the Park are Kay Heflin, President, and Duane Bernard, Vice President, of the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum.

Kay Heflin has lived in Rainier all her life. She and her husband, Dick have raised two beautiful daughters, who have blessed them with three grandchildren and one great grandson. Kay was employed by the Rainier Post Office for 32 years. She and her husband spend each winter in Yuma, Arizona.

Kay's family has a long Rainier history. Her great grandfather, built the family home in the Kentucky Flats area of Rainier in 1906. Her father was a tugboat captain and a photographer. His photo collection interested her in saving and sharing Rainier's photos and history.

Kay has been president of the ROHM since it was established in 2015. Long hours have been spent by her (and others) writing grants, work of the museum board, volunteers, and strong community support (including many donations), working toward building the beautiful, new museum at 700 West A Street, west of the Rainier City Park.

Duane Bernard moved to the Rainier area with his folks in 1939. He attended first grade in the Apiary school. He graduated from the Rainier Union High School in 1956 with his future wife, Joanne Bentley. They have four children who have given them eleven grand kids and nine great grandchildren. Their twelfth grandchild is due on July 25.

Duane has always been a hunter interested in wildlife conservation. He has served on many boards over the years including county, state, federal and international. He said, "Being on the ROHM board is one of the best." He's always been interested in local history, and he has worked hard on the new museum project, seeing it through from beginning to present.

You can meet the grand marshals after the Rainier Daze Parade at the museum's booth.