Mayor John Ditslear has announced that former State Sen. Luke and Sally Kenley will serve as the grand marshals for the 2019 Noblesville Fourth of July Parade presented by Gaylor Electric.
“Sally and I are thrilled to serve as grand marshals,” Luke said. “We love Noblesville and its people. It maintains a special charm with its blend of new and old, and it was one of the best decisions of our life to move back. It wasn’t much of a decision, since it was the only place Sally wanted to live.”
Luke and Sally Kenley graduated from Noblesville High School in 1963. They grew up one block apart on Maple Avenue, and attended Conner School, junior high and high school together. Sally was a cheerleader and Luke was senior class president and a captain of the football team.
Sally went to Butler University and graduated with a degree in elementary education in 1967. Luke graduated from Miami of Ohio with a degree in economics the same year. They got married Aug. 5, 1967 at the Presbyterian Church at 12th and Conner streets. After college, they moved to Cambridge, Mass., where Luke entered Harvard Law School and Sally taught school in Cambridge. After two years, Luke volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1969, where he served for three years and was discharged as a First Lieutenant.
After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1971, the couple returned to Noblesville. After working two years in an Indianapolis law firm, Luke joined his father, Howard, at Kenley’s Supermarket. In what was considered a transitional job, Luke stayed 25 years and helped build the business from one store to two, with almost 200 employees.
Sally helped establish the strings program and orchestra at Noblesville High School, was a member of the Hamilton County Art Association and was admitted to the Hoosier Art Salon through a competitive selection. She also was one of the founders of the Stephen Ministry Program at First United Methodist Church, where she has been a member since her birth.
Luke served as Noblesville City Court Judge from 1974 to 89 and has served on the Noblesville Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors since 1978. In 1992, Luke began serving in the Indiana Senate – a career that lasted 25 years until he decided to retire in 2017.
The Kenleys have three children: Bill Kenley (sons, Ray and Leo); John Kenley (wife, Kelly; and twin sons, Miles and Lucas); and Betsy Kilroy (husband, Tom; daughter, Edith; and son, Thomas).
“Luke and Sally have deep roots in our community and their impact is felt not only in Noblesville but throughout the state,” said Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear. “Luke was very instrumental in getting the Ivy Tech Campus in Noblesville and continues to guide the Noblesville Boys & Girls Club Board – proving his dedication to that organization and the city.”
This year’s free festivities will take place on Thursday, July 4 with the theme of “Stars and Stripes Forever in Noblesville.” The fun begins earlier this year with the parade starting at 2:30 p.m. The expanded free fireworks festival sponsored by IDI Composites follows from 4 to 10 p.m. with activities for kids, teens and adults, music, food vendors and more at Forest Park. At 10 p.m., the annual fireworks display will begin from the Forest Park Golf Course.
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Those interested in participating in the 2019 Noblesville July 4th Parade have until Friday, June 28 to submit entry forms, which are available online at noblesvillefireworksfestival.com. The form may be submitted online, sent electronically to mhoffmeister@noblesville.in.us, or dropped off at Noblesville City Hall, 16 S. 10th St. Registration is $20. The City of Noblesville is waiving the entry fee to all nonprofits organizations that want to participate.
“The nonprofit change is to increase the number of participants and help local groups raise awareness about their worthy organizations in a very fun way,” said July 4th Planning Committee Co-Chairman Mike Hoffmeister. “We’re also encouraging sports teams and school organizations to participate with the discount. The parade celebrates Noblesville along with our country, so our goal is to make it as community-focused as possible.”
While the times have changed, the parade route remains the same. It will begin at the corner of 16th and Harrison streets and will travel south on 16th to Logan Street; west on Logan to Ninth Street; north on Ninth to Monument Street; and east on Monument to 16th Street where it will end. Due to safety concerns, nothing may be thrown from any parade vehicle including candy.
More information about the upcoming Fourth of July festivities will be announced soon. For more information about sponsoring or donating to the holiday activities, contact Robert Herrington at 317-776-6324.