Congratulations to Iran Floyd from DeMotte! He is the 2025 Grand Marshal.

DeMOTTE – DeMotte resident Iran Floyd has been named the 2025 Grand Marshall of the annual Touch of Dutch Festival.

A longtime fixture in the Kankakee Valley Schools, Floyd will be riding near the front of the parade on Saturday, Aug. 9 to kick-off the festivities.

Floyd was nominated anonymously by someone who wrote, “Iran Floyd has done a number of different jobs in both education and as a former police officer. Iran has been a huge part of the KV school district, from being superintendent for many years to being the VOLUNTEER assistant principal of Wheatfield Elementary. Iran Floyd donates his time to education because he just loves the students and staff. He’s a hardworking man who has spent over 60 years in education. He provides so much knowledge to students and staff still to this day.

“He always shows up to work with a smile on his face and is such a kind soul. He is a well known individual around the community and everyone who has the opportunity to get to know Mr. Floyd has nothing but good to say about him. After losing his wife, he has continued to push on and fill his time with love in other ways, by doing what he loves for the kids of our community.”

Floyd has been in education, in one capacity or another, for 62 years. He first taught fourth grade at Lake Station and coached in Liberty Township before becoming a principal in Lake Station. He was then the superintendent for Caston Schools for seven years before coming to KV in 1984.

During his tenure with KV, Floyd has been superintendent and come back three times as assistant superintendent. He would then help new superintendents ease into the job. He has also, as his nomination states, volunteered for numerous years as assistant principal for Wheatfield Elementary.

Floyd was presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the highest honor the Governor of Indiana can bestow, in 2024.

Jamie Osburn Sekema, on behalf of her father Dale Osburn, former teacher and administrator at KVSC, nominated and presented Floyd with the Sagamore honor, signed by the then Gov. Eric Holcomb. This award honors those who have rendered a distinguished service to the citizens and the State of Indiana. A few past honorees have been comedian and talk show host David Letterman, musician Willie Nelson, astronaut Gus Grissom, and former President George H.W. Bush.