Grand Marshals
Brad Henry -- Grand Marshal 2013
Mark Martin -- Grand Marshal 2012 Mark Martin serves as Arkansas's 33rd Secretary of State and took office in January 2011.
Prior to becoming Secretary of State, Martin represented District 87 in the Arkansas House of Representatives for three terms. While in the legislature, he served on the Budget, Insurance and Commerce, Education, Advanced Communication and Information Technology committees and was Chairman of the Economic & Tax Policy Committee.
Martin is a professional engineer who has been named the Arkansas Young Engineer of the Year and the National Young Engineer of the Year runner-up.
As Secretary of State, Martin serves as Chairman of the State Board of Election Commissioners and the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission. He is a member of the Information Network of Arkansas Board and the State Board of Apportionment. He is also a member of the National Association of Secretaries of State, where he serves as the co-chairman of the International Relations committee, and was selected for the prestigious Henry Toll Fellowship Program in 2011.
His active civic participation includes membership in the NRA and the Prairie Grove American Legion Post 146, where he serves as the legion’s Charter Representative for Prairie Grove Cub Scout Pack 94. He is a member of Engineering Ministries International (EMI) and the Association of Christian Design Professionals (ACDP). He is also a veteran of the United States Navy.
Martin and his wife, Sharon, have two daughters and one son. The family attends Legacy Baptist Church of Northwest Arkansas and resides in Prairie Grove, Arkansas.
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Joe David Rice – Krewe of Krazo Grand Marshal for 2011
Joe David Rice serves as Arkansas’s Tourism Director, a position he’s held since May of 1987. He and his team of 65 employees have two major responsibilities: enhancing the image of Arkansas and enticing more visitors to the state. Prior to his transfer to the Tourism Division, Rice was employed by the Arkansas State Parks system where he worked on the Arkansas Wilderness Act of 1983, the Cossatot River State Park and Natural Area, and the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Trust Fund. He wrote the Department’s award-winning community park handbook, edited its festival manual, and produced the “Arkansas Floater’s Kit.” In addition, Rice was a partner in a canoe outfitting service on the Buffalo National River.
Rice, who was born in Paragould and raised in Jonesboro, graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1974. He also obtained a Master’s degree – with an emphasis in environmental planning – from the University of Illinois. He’s received commendations from both the National Recreation & Parks Association and the National Park Service for his work, and was recognized by then Governor Bill Clinton as an “outstanding state employee.” He headed up Arkansas’s delegation to the 1995 White House Conference on Travel and Tourism. In 2003 he was selected by his peers as the country’s State Tourism Director of the Year. He is past Chair of the National Council of State Tourism Directors. In 2008, Rice was inducted into the Arkansas Hospitality Association Hall of Fame.
Eureka Springs Mayor proclaimed Sat., March 5, 2011 as:
Joe David Rice Day
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Richard Davies named Grand Marshal Of Eureka Gras Parade for 2009
(EUREKA SPRINGS, AR) – Richard W. Davies, Executive Director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (ADPT), has been named as Grand Marshal of the 2009 Eureka Gras Mardi Gras Extravaganza parade. The six-day long New Orleans-style carnival is slated for Feb. 19-24. 
The parade, a colorful crowd favorite in years past, winds its way through historic downtown Eureka Springs beginning at 2 p.m., Feb. 21. It will be led by this year’s King, Zeek Taylor, and Queen, Elise Roenigk, and presided over by Davies.The ADPT director, whose duties include overseeing development and operations of the State Parks and the advertising, public relations and promotion of the state through the Tourism Division, said he was honored to be selected. “I’ve always been a fan of Mardi Gras as an event, and Eureka Springs as a destination,” Davies sated. He continued, “The combination of the two is a real winner for visitors, and I’m honored to be the Grand Marshal in the parade. I suspect a good time will be had by all who attend!”
Davies served 14 years as State Parks Director before his appointment as the Department Director on May 24, 1990. He is a 1972 graduate of the University of Arkansas and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He is also a graduate of Harvard University's Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. Davies is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U. S. Army Reserve and a member of the Reserve Officers Association. He resides in North Little Rock with his wife Betsy. They have two daughters, Katie and Sarah.
Eureka Springs Mayor proclaimed Sat., Feb 21, 2009 as:
Richard Davies Day