Poolesville Day, September 21st will be here sooner than you think. Every year since 1992 – except the pandemic years – Poolesville has observed its annual festival, celebrating Poolesville, its residents and the communities in the Western County of which it is a part. This year activities, vendors and music will spread from one end of Fisher Avenue at the Elementary School to the “Historic West End” and all over Whalen Commons.
A hallmark of Poolesville Day has always been the 10 am morning parade down Poolesville’s “main street” Fisher Avenue, beginning at Poolesville Elementary School and ending at the intersection of Fisher Avenue and West Willard Road. Leading the parade has always been the “Grand Marshal”. Nominated by area citizens, this person or group should symbolize community involvement, leadership and commitment to bettering our community.
This year’s 2024 Grand Marshal is Brice Halbrook, one of those quietly hardworking volunteers who make Poolesville an exceptional place to live. Brice joined the Poolesville Day committee in 2005 when Jake Perkins was at the helm. When Jake suddenly passed away, Brice assumed the leadership at Ray Hoewing’s request. Despite having little experience, he took on the responsibility. It is questionable whether Poolesville Day would have continued without Brice. Bridget Burke contacted Brice to ask if he needed help- she had a strong background in event planning, having worked for a bit on the road with musical acts and festivals. Brice and Bridget worked to really ramp up the festival the first year and it was a big hit with music, more vendors and a larger array of food. They both put a lot of work into the event, and it went well for the next 5 years.
When Link Hoewing moved out of town in his final year as Poolesville Commissioner, Brice was asked to fill the position. That one-year stint prompted Brice to run for office in the fall of 2012. His 4-year term continued through the fall of 2016.
Brice was a part of the founding the UpCounty Prevention network and worked with the team to get that off the ground.
In 2017 Ray Hoewing asked Brice if he could volunteer again by joining the board of WUMCO. After attending a meeting, he decided he could possibly manage it into a larger charity. The most consequential decision Brice and the board made was to hire Katie Longbrake as the new executive director. She has turned WUMCO into an amazing organization.
As the WUMCO board treasurer, Brice, along with Joel Tjornehoj, played a key part in establishing the WUMCO endowment fund with community donations and a sizable gift from Jane Stearns estate. This fund has helped sustain WUMCO during down times over the years. Brice also helped locate the new HQ and helped negotiate the lease with the Methodist church. Brice has been on the WUMCO board for 7 years and has continued there even though he has moved to Rockville to be closer to his children.
If you see Brice on Poolesville Day, be sure to thank him for his years of service to the Poolesville community!