Reed to serve as July 4 parade grand marshal.

Todd Reed. Photo by Alway Photography.

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Area Jaycees have named Todd Reed as the 2015 Fourth of July Freedom Festival parade Grand Marshall. Reed is co-owner of Todd & Brad Reed Photography in Ludington. He served over 30 years in the Coast Guard Reserve, retiring with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He also worked many years as a photographer and journalist for the Ludington Daily News and as an instructor of photography at West Shore Community College.

“I am so excited to announce that Todd Reed has accepted the nomination to be recognized as the Grand Marshal of the Freedom Festival Grand Parade this year,” said Jamie Spore of the Ludington Area Jaycees.

In 1988, Reed was recognized by the United States Coast Guard as the top “Outstanding Enlisted Reservist” in the country. In addition, he was named Station Ludington’s “Sailor of the Quarter” in October 1999.

“The theme of the Freedom Festival this year, ‘Portraits of America,’ illustrates the natural beauty of this great nation. As a professional photographer, Todd captures the essence of this beautiful area and shares that with audiences near and far. We are very fortunate to have a person of Todd’s caliber living among us. I, personally, am also very proud to call Todd one of my friends.”

A presentation will be made during the Ludington Area Jaycees’ Summer Kick-Off concert on Wednesday, June 10th, 2015, at Ludington’s Waterfront Park Pavilion, to formally introduce Reed as the 2015 Grand Marshal of the Freedom Festival Grand Parade.

The concert, featuring the Scottville Clown Band and their 2015 scholarship recipients, will begin at 7 p.m., and the Grand Marshal presentation will occur during the band’s intermission.

The Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival Grand Parade will be held on Saturday, July 4 at 2 p.m. Freedom Festival Grand Parade float entries and participants will travel along the parade route, from the corner of Madison and Ludington Avenue along Ludington Avenue to Lakeshore Drive.

The Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival Children and Pet Parade will be held the day prior, on Friday, July 3, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. The Children and Pet Parade will begin at the corner of Loomis and Ferry Street, and will proceed to the Waterfront Park Pavilion, where prizes will be awarded.

For more information, please contact Jamie Spore at 231-233-0230 or e-mail freedomfestival2015@hotmail.com