Ex-Schools Chief to Preside Over Parade
James F. Cowan, the former Ventura County superintendent of schools, has been selected grand marshal of the 1994 Ventura County Fair parade.
Cowan, a 62-year-old Ventura resident, was chosen by the fair’s board of directors for his contributions to the county and his support of youth involvement in the fair, said spokeswoman Teri Raley.
“I’m very honored and pleased that they would select me to do that,” Cowan said Wednesday. “I’m really excited and looking forward to it.”
Cowan graduated from Ventura High School and Ventura College and went on to earn degrees from Whittier College and a doctorate in education from USC.
He has served as a teacher, administrator and coach for 38 years, including 24 years as the county’s superintendent of schools. In that role, Cowan worked closely with fair officials to ensure youth involvement, Raley said.
The Ventura County Fair parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. The parade will travel down Main Street from Catalina Street west to the San Buenaventura Mission.
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