Lifelong Dumont resident to serve as Sandbaggin’ Days Grand Marshal

This year’s Dumont Sandbaggin’ Days Grand Marshal is a lifelong Dumont area resident with fond memories of the festival as a child.
“Years ago when they had rides on Main Street, we’d always go and get on the rides and have fun when we were kids,” said Norm Burkett, who will serve as Grand Marshal at the parade on Saturday, July 13 at 4:30 p.m.
Aside from being a lifelong resident, Burkett said he also worked at the Dumont Wellness Center for 28 years and then retired after five years at the Rehabilitation Center of Iowa. Additionally, he has served of the Consistory of The Dumont Reformed Church.
Burkett said he’s honored to serve as the Grand Marshal, as Sandbaggin’ Days – formerly Dumont Days – has been a part of his life since he was a child. However, Burkett said the honor was something he never expected.
“At first I was shocked, but it’s an honor to do it,” he said. “They wanted to know if I would be the Grand Marshal and I asked them if they were kidding and they said no.”
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