The Grand Marshal Award is presented to a community member who the Board wants to recognize for his/her outstanding contributions to "The Community". The award is chosen by a committee made up of Carnation Festival Board members.

Grand Parade Marshal

2018 Barry Nichols and Barrie Kridler
2017​ John Christian
2016 Pastors Bobby and Joyce Williams
2015 Pastor Rick and Joyce Sams
2014 Larry Kehres
2013 Dan Skivolocke
2012 Frank and Betty Bolog
2011 Bill Lavery
2010 Donald Kommel (posthumous)
2009 Alex Smith and Virgil Artino
2008 Judge Robert Lavery
2007 Judge R. R. Denny Clunk
2006 Jimmy and the Soulblazers
2005 Barb Graf
2004 Romane Burnell
2003 Charles Grove
2002 George Weimer
2001 Francisco "Pancho" DeLeon
2000 Curvis Rhyne
1999 Dr. Sally Reed
1998 Clarence Johnson
1997 Lyle Crist
1996 Dr. Harold Kolenbrander
1995 Gordon Rinehart
1994 Joseph and Charlotte Mastroianni
1993 William and Karl Fiegenschuh
1992 John and Virginia Robertson
1991 Lucretia Alfani
1990 Cletus and Garnet Young
1989 Major Jean Manhollan and Leroy Lamborn Zang
1988 Abe Rich
1987 Perry King
1986 Dr. James Rodman
1985 Dr. Craig and Shirley George
1984 Ben Favazzo and Patric Jeswald
1983 Bill Stirling
1982 Edward K. Knowles
1981 Helen Hendershot
1980 Edgar McNabb
1979 Charles Dixon
1978 Edgar E. Kidwell
1977 B. F. E. "Buddy" Bell
1976 Ernest A. Williams
1975 Dick Elliot