Gary Swanson is 2016 Homestead grand marshal

PRINCETON — His dedication to the community and willingness to go the extra mile to put a smile on someone's face is what earned Gary "Frog" Swanson the honor of being this year's Bureau County Homestead Festival grand marshal.

Some may recognize Swanson as the man behind the sound system at various area events or consider themselves a fan of his music with the Generics Goodies Band. or maybe one can still remember when he used to patrol the streets as a Princeton police officer.

Under his many hats, Swanson has accomplished many great tasks for his community and continues to keep the community groovin', thriving and having fun.

"I like to give back to the community because I've been successful in my careers, and I'm glad to be able to do it. It's important to keep the community growing and keeping things happening," he said.

Swanson was born and raised in Princeton and is a 1965 graduate of Princeton High School. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1970, where he earned a degree in industrial technology with an emphasis in electronics and radio television broadcasting.

In 1974, he married his wife, Janet. They had one daughter and are grandparents to two children today.

Throughout the years, Swanson worked part-time as a polisher at Jostens, was a truck driver for Haussler Construction, a bus driver for Princeton Elementary Schools and an engineer and announcer at WZOE radio. Swanson also worked as a dispatcher at the Bureau County Sheriff's Office before serving as an officer for the Tiskilwa Police Department from 1971 to 1973. After finding an appreciation for law enforcement, Swanson went through police training at the University of Illinois and in 1974, he accepted a patrolman job with Princeton Police Department. During his time there, he earned numerous certificates in police training and was promoted to investigator before retiring in 2004.

As a retiree, Swanson continues to work part-time at the Bureau County Courthouse in security and also owns GES Snow Removal Services and GES Sound.

Swanson has always had a passion for music. In the late '60s, he played in a band with Keith Knudson who went on to play drums with the Doobie Brothers. Throughout the years, Swanson has been part of several bands aside from The Generics Goodies Band, including Shillings, Junction, Coachmen and Alibi.

Swanson also built a recording studio where his current band and other local singers have recorded music.

Around Halloween and Christmas, Swanson and his family are the ones who drive around town with blow-up displays on a trailer and play fun music to get families in the spirit of the holiday.

"Our pay is when the kids and parents come running to the float for candy and when the whole neighborhood starts dancing and grooving to the music," he said.

During several community events during the years, Swanson has provided sound and entertainment for all sorts and sizes.

You may have seen him setting up sound at Bureau County Convoy for Cancer, Bureau County Relay for Life, March of Dimes Walk, Bureau County United Way banquets, Memorial Day services, Veterans Day services, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Princeton High School sports, Bureau County Homestead Festival, CPASA events, Princeton Moose Lodge, Princeton Elks Lodge, Princeton Municipal Band, Prairie Arts Center, and he is the host of the hospitality pavilion at the Bureau County Fair. He was also a volunteer MC for the Lions Club and Elks Lodge drawdowns.

While Swanson was honored to have been chosen for this year's grand marshal, he said there are many other people more deserving of the reward.

"I've watched them work in the community, and no matter whether you go to the Moose Lodge or Elks Lodge, Lions Club, you can find those individuals who are dedicated day-in and day-out, and they make it work. I admire those people," he said.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.