By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
FAITH — Food Lion co-founder Ralph Ketner will serve as the grand marshal of the 65th annual Faith Fourth of July parade.
Parade organizer Pam Alexander said Ketner seemed like a natural choice for role.
“We thought of Ralph since he lived here in Faith and has done a lot for the county,” she said.
Ketner, who lived in Faith from 1954 to 1956, said he still remembers the first July Fourth he spent in the town.
“When I first moved out there I was walking down the street in the latter part of June and someone tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘You know you’re working at the barbecue during the fourth,’” Ketner said. “Everyone who lives in Faith works in Faith on July the Fourth.’ ”
Ketner said his father-in-law ran a small grocery store in Faith and he was a member of the Faith Civitan Club when he lived there.
“Faith has a lot of pleasant memories for me,” he said.
Alexander said when she approached Ketner about being the grand marshal he was humbled by the offer.
“It was such a great honor that I told them, yes, I would accept with no reservations,” he said. “I am excited about it, I’m looking foward to it.”
This year’s parade will be held at 10 a.m. on July 4, a Monday.
“I hope my friends will wave at me and not throw tomatoes at me,” Ketner joked.
Contact reporter at Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.