Business Grand Marshal and Presenting Sponsor, Dungarvin has a mission of respecting and responding to the choices of people in need of supports, aiming to help individuals with disabilities realize their goals by promoting self-determination, dignity, and community inclusion, ensuring their choices guide the supports they receive.
Community Grand Marshal Wally Wescott, 90, is often described as a Saint Paul "legend" because of his commitment to teaching, coaching, and community giving. Wally attended Monroe and Cretin High Schools and graduated from St. Thomas College with a degree in education. He worked at Palace and St. Clair Playgrounds and later went on to teach at St. Luke's Catholic School for 25 years. At St. Luke's, he was very involved, running the student council, school newspaper, rummage sale, and "Project Fun." He was always focused on taking care of his students and their families, especially the "less fortunate" ones. He loves sports and officiated and coached a wide-array of sports at various levels. This includes coaching two athletes who went on to join the Baseball Hall of Fame—Paul Molitor at St. Luke's and Jack Morris in American Legion ball.
Wally is well-known for his generosity to many St. Paul schools and charities, especially the West 7th Street Boys Club, an organization that helps local families with financial assistance, warm clothing, and bikes and toys at Christmas. Wally has been married to Rosie for 65 years, raising five children together. They, along with their son Kurt, own Wescott Station Antiques on West 7th Street which will celebrate its 50-year anniversary next year. The Wescotts are credited with saving the historic Hi-Lex gnomes from destruction when the original company changed ownership. The store's beloved Hi-Lex Gnomes (marching in the parade since 1939) and colorfully decorated windows are always a bright spot in the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
Sports Grand Marshal Katie Million brings 20-plus years of sport management experience and served as women’s commissioner and vice president of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, was named director of women’s national team programs for USA Hockey in February 2019. Under her tenure as general manager, Million has led her USA Olympic teams to the 2022 Winter Olympic Games silver medal, three gold and three silver medals at the IIHF Women's Worlds Championships and two golds, two silver and a bronze medal at the U18 IIHF World Championships. She is the General Manager of the 2026 US Women’s Olympic Hockey Team. We wish her and the team well!
Non-profit Grand Marshal Uncommon Construction Twin Cities uses hands-on home building by high school students to teach career and life skills, earn pay & scholarships and build a diverse and skilled workforce, operating in New Orleans and the Twin Cities. Their unique approach empowers youth through real-world projects, offering pathways into the trades and education, funded by house sales and partnerships, making construction a viable, respected career.