REEDLEY – As one of the city’s biggest yearly traditions grows near, residents have selected one the city’s most avid go-getters to lead the way.
After a round of community nominations, the Reedley Rotary Club has selected Ramon Romero as this year’s Reedley Fiesta Grand Marshal, recognizing his years of continued service as an active member of his community. Whether as a coach, DJ, fundraiser organizer, landscaper and much more, Romero has worn many hats for his fellow Reedley residents.
“I feel really humbled about (being named grand marshal) because everything I’ve done, I do it because it makes me feel good, but now I know it’s everybody,” Romero said in an interview.
Originally from the Philippines, Romero said his family moved to Reedley when he was six years old, and made his way through the local schools until graduating from Reedley High School in 1989. Though he later spent a handful of years living in Fresno and Kerman, Romero said he’s always considered himself “a Reedley person,” and that he’s here to stay.
For around 13 years, Romero coached a myriad of local sports programs including basketball, soccer and baseball. Romero said that some seasons, due to a shortage of volunteers, he had to coach multiple teams in one season.
Contrary to what some may think, Romero reported that “it was a lot easier” to coach multiple teams since he could make them scrimmage against one another, and give each team some real-time feedback.
About three years ago, Romero retired from coaching to join the Reedley Lions Club after being encouraged by current Reedley Lions President Angela Avalos. Throughout his time with the club, he has played a major role in: the annual water bottle drive for the Poverello House, Reedley Rail to Trail cleanup days, coordination with the Reedley High School Leos Club and much more.
Romero also serves as an ambassador for the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce, doing work with the chamber’s junior board, barbecuing at events and filling in as the DJ and sound guy for events like Trick or Treat on G.
This growing list of community service work is all in addition to his day job as a logistics analyst for a local dairy supplier, as well as his landscaping side hustle. When Romero “retires” from one venture, he said he quickly feels the need to dive into something else to make a positive impact.
“I’m old, but I feel young,” Romero said. “Whenever I’m actually moving around and doing stuff, my mindset is that I don’t want to fail people.”
That dedication to the community earned him the title of Reedley’s Citizen of the Year in 2024, a recognition he said he was very surprised and humbled to have received at the time.
Despite it all, the work does not stop. Romero is getting ready for the next trail cleanup day on Sept. 19, and thanks to a grant from Sierra Kings Health Care District, he and the Lions are also preparing for their next bike rodeo and giveaway at Washington Elementary School on Sept. 29.
Usually one to keep things running smoothly from the sidelines, Romero will also be getting ready to participate in this year’s Fiesta parade in a whole new way as its grand marshal.
Reflecting on what the honor means to him, Romero referenced past years’ grand marshals such as Darleen Toews in 2025 and Danny Jimenez in 2024, saying he hopes to maintain the legacy of community contributions that each of them have laid out.
“I’m very humbled, and I have to follow in their footsteps,” Romero said. “Last year it was Darleen, the year before that was Mr. Jimenez, so I’ve got big shoes to fill.”
