The Prince of Parkville traded in his crown for a weighty anchor as Mayor Kathryn Dusenbery honored the river valley city’s crown jewel, Bill Grigsby, with the Anchor to the City and named him its City Admiral as the inaugural member of the city’s new Admiral Club at the kickoff of the Fourth of July festivities Monday.
Grigsby, a radio announcer for the Kansas City Chiefs, was honored as the city’s most cherished resident in veneration for his three decades of public service and dedication to Parkville. Dusenbery bestowed the seemingly surprised Grigsby with the privilege as he prepared to announce the parade processional.
Dusenbery established the Admiral Club to acknowledge a select cadre of exceptional gentlemen and gentlewomen in the city’s midst who have helped the riverfront city distinguish itself as the Jewel of the Northland. With Grigsby as the debut member, future inductees will forever remain secure that they are in the extraordinary company.
The Falcon Exhibition Skydiving Team welcomed uplookers as they carried the American Flag in their descent to the National Anthem to commence the morning and evening festivities. The Parkville Community Band greeted the city’s patrons from Park University’s campus as the city received the skydivers.
Event organizers boasted 20,000 attendees for the evening’s fireworks extravaganza. Tom Hutsler said that the fireworks display was “probably the most spectacular show we’ve ever had.”
Hutsler, who is the president of Main Street Parkville, served as chair for the event. The organization stages the time-honored event each year.
While the weather left things a little iffy at the onset, he remarked, “The weather went really well. It was touchy, at first, but it really cleared up.”
Angelo Gangai, who is part owner of the Powerplant Restaurant and Brewey, co-chaired the event.
The price tag for this year’s event was approximately $19,000, which is paid by sponsors and special fundraising events that are held throughout the year. A portion of the proceeds from the 5-day carnival will go to offset the cost of the yearly production.
