To be able to call yourself a grand marshal of the Greeley Stampede is one of the highest honors you can receive as a resident of Greeley. It proves that you have made a positive impact on the community, and people here have a profound respect for you. All those things can now be said about Jerry and Sandy Helgeson, the Grand Marshals for the 2017 Greeley Stampede.
According to a news release:
Jerry and Sandy have been resident of Greeley and Windsor for 41 years. Their daughters graduated from Greeley West and Sandy has her degree from UNC. Jerry graduated from Minot State University with a degree in business.
Jerry owned American Eagle Distributorship in Northern Colorado for 40 years before retiring in 2015. While in business, his company was one of the top 50 family-owned companies in Colorado, ranked #33. In addition to receiving several top awards with Anheuser-Busch over the years, Jerry has served on bank boards in Weld County as well as the Greeley Chamber of Commerce and volunteering for fundraising on several organizations. He helped develop a program at CSU in Brewing Operations, was awarded the Bravo Entrepreneur Award in 2016 by BizWest, awarded the Loveland Chamber Large Business of the Year award in 2012, is a certified pilot and was the Easter Bunny at the White House Easter Egg Roll during the Obama administration.
After raising their two daughters, Susan and Julie, Sandy went back to school at UNC and got her master’s degree in Psychology. She has done volunteer work for several organizations in addition to serving on the Board of Directors for NCMC Foundation, A Kid’s Place, and currently the Boys and Girls Club of Weld County.
Jerry and Sandy remember when their daughters were young, they all did volunteer work with the Jaycees at the Greeley Stampede. “Our daughters have fond memories of the carnival rides, rodeos and shows,” Jerry said. “Our daughters are now mothers and we are proud grandparents to five beautiful grandchildren. We hope to introduce them to cowboy boots and rodeos this year.” Jerry and Sandy are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year and feel this honor of being Grand Marshals is the icing on the cake.
The Stampede officially introduces their event Grand Marshals at their June 1st Kickoff Luncheon. Individual tickets are $5, table reservations are $40 for eight guests. Please call 970-356-7787 for tickets.