The official grand marshal for the Renton River Days parade on Saturday, July 27, is Patrick Zellner, a recently-retired Public Works manager who served the City of Renton for 37 years.

“To be selected and honored by this, being the grand marshal of the parade, it kind of chokes me up a little bit. When I was asked to do this, I thought to myself, this should be a celebrity or police chief or fire marshal,” said Zellner in the grand marshal announcement from the City of Renton.

Long-haired and mustachioed, Zellner was part of the street maintenance division of Renton’s Public Works department, having started his career in the 1980s. According to the city, Zellner also served in the U.S. Air Force for almost five years.

“My goal as a manager, supervisor, as a maintenance worker was always — for our city — to have no potholes,” said Zellner in a Renton River Days 2024 profile video. “Potholes and bad roads falling apart, I take it personal.”

An excerpt from the city’s announcement said Zellner “prides himself on the team the city has built to keep streets clear of snow, debris and potholes, but residents also may have witnessed Patrick as a cowboy during the city’s Truck-or-Treat event or reading books to Renton’s youth at the Renton Library.”

As grand marshal, Zellner will herald in the Renton River Days parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, through South Third Street in downtown Renton.

”What do I love about Renton River Days? I think more than anything is bringing the community together,” said Zellner. “More than anything, the events that we put on are not only for our community, but they’re also to kind of showcase our employees.”