Anna Fredericks is Pioneer Day Grand Marshal
by Sally Jack
Contributing writer
The City of Monticello selected Anna Fredericks to serve as the Grand Marshall in the 2024 Pioneer Day Parade, which was held on Saturday, July 20.
City and county officials were pleased to honor Anna as Grand Marshall for her many years of excellent service as director of the San Juan County Fair, as well as her work serving children and youth with food services in the San Juan School District, and for the volunteer work she does with high school sports and other activities.
If you say, “San Juan County Fair,” chances are good that Anna Fredericks will come to mind. If you reverse that, and say “Anna Fredericks,” the San Juan County Fair will probably come to mind.
That’s because Anna has been organizing the County Fair for so long that most folks can’t remember a time when Anna wasn’t the mastermind behind it all. It’s hard to say just how many hours Anna has spent to make the San Juan County Fair a success each year.
Bruce Adams, San Juan County Commissioner, applauded the city choice, commenting, “Anna has been the county fair director for many years. Her work as the fair director has helped expand the opportunities for our county citizens and participants.
“When Anna takes on a task she gives 100 percent to make the fair the best it has ever been. She really knows how to get the right help at the right time.
“Our county fair is a great success because of the dedicated efforts of Anna. She really does like to make each activity better each year. The county is so grateful for her valuable dedicated work on the county fair and all she does for the county citizens.”
Anna is employed as the Director of Food Services for the San Juan School District. Between breakfast and lunch, they serve about 5,000 meals a day at the 12 schools in the San Juan School District. It is a huge operation, and Anna is up to the task.
Tyrel Pemberton, Business Administrator of San Juan School District, said: “I personally think that Anna is a phenomenal choice for Grand Marshal. Anna’s unwavering dedication and reliability have ensured that our students are always fed and receive the meals they need.
“Anna’s commitment to excellence and tireless efforts behind the scenes make everything run smoothly. San Juan School District is lucky to call Anna one of our own and I personally am so grateful for all of the time and effort she contributes to help students learn.”
About her volunteer work, Anna’s father, Kent Adair says, “Anna is very organized, creative and dedicated. At home, Anna always helps in anything we are involved in, taking pictures, making things, and helping in any way possible.
“She has volunteered all her life. When I was coaching Junior High wrestling in the mid-1980s, she volunteered to keep stats for me. She continues to volunteer in many areas and has for many years.”
For Monticello High School wrestling, Kent said, “She makes programs for senior night and divisional tournaments, invitations, awards, and T-shirts. She helps raise funds by selling T-shirts and other apparel.
“Anna takes countless photos and creates slide shows. She also organizes tournaments and designs and sells T-shirts for the Rowdy Boys Wrestling.
“She helps with MHS class activities and projects, the senior class all-night parties, and meals for the school teams.
“Anna also spends a lot of money to take great photos. She takes pictures of every sport at MHS and most of the activities. She makes these photos available to everyone at no charge.”
Monticello City Recorder Melissa Gill agrees. She writes, “We chose Anna as our Grand Marshall this year for many reasons. She has always been an active member of our community. Any time we ask for help she is there. The work she has done with the San Juan County Fair is invaluable.
“I personally put her name in the hat because of her dedication to ALL of the high school sports/teams. When my older children were in sports, I had to balance the chore of taking pictures of the kids (they would act like they were going to die if I didn’t) and sitting back and actually enjoying watching their efforts.
“When Reagan was in school, I had a completely different experience. I could watch the game/competition/whatever Reagan was involved in and know that afterward I could simply go to Anna’s website and pull all the pictures I wanted.
“She always makes the effort to take individual and group pictures. I have pictures of Reagan with expressions I would have never caught myself. She gives these away for free!!!
“I know many parents would have gladly paid for them. She is simply a loving, caring, generous person and we appreciate all that she does.”
San Juan County residents echo her sentiments. Thank you, Anna for making your world a better place.