Bill and Helen Houts named Fourth of July Grand Marshals

The Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Independence Day parade and celebration is Thursday at Sahalee Park, with the parade kicking off at 10 a.m.

Bill and Helen Houts, long-time Madras residents and community members, have been named the parade’s Grand Marshals.

Bill grew up in Madras, while Helen is from Cottonwood, California. While attending Shasta College in Redding, she met Bill, who attended Oregon State University and was in town to check out the school. After marrying in Redding in 1960, Helen talked Bill into moving back to Madras.

Both have been active in the community, inlcuding by helping start the Madras Saturday Market back in 2006. Bill worked on the family farm, Houts and Sons, and they raised their three children. They started the Houts Nursery and Garden Center in the ‘80s. Helen has worked at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Grandma Hoffy’s Restaurant, Mail Copies and More, and the Chamber of Commerce. Both Bill and Helen have received numerous awards and recognition for their service to the community.

“As I’ve been learning the rich history of our Chamber and the integral parts members of our community have been involved in, I’ve come across Helen’s name, seen Helen’s handwriting and heard accolades of the work that Helen had done for the Chamber,” said Debbie Taylor, Executive Director Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. “I felt like I had already known her for years before speaking to her on the phone and extending the honor for her and her husband Bill to be our Grand Marshals. Knowing that Bill and Helen helped start the Saturday Market, have farmed in the area, and worked within the community, it is honorable to be able to recognize them with this role. I’m eager to see them in the back of Bill’s brother Bob’s 1938 Chevy pickup truck and joyfully hand them buckets of candy to toss along the parade route.”