
Grand Marshals
And the Grand Marshal for 2025 is....
Michael Heroux

Mike has been a member of the Rhode Island Army National Guard for 36 years and served 39 years as a Professional Chef in various positions. He is currently the Food Program Manager.
When we are selecting a grand marshal, we look at what the nominee has done for the local community. Being a Woonsocket native, Mike has a long list!
​
Mike has been involved with Boy Scouts of America for 34 years, serving as Scoutmaster of Troop 2 Holy Trinity Church for the last 20 years. He is a board member at St. Joseph Veterans Association, and has previously served as Commander. He is a member of Woonsocket Elks Lodge 850, and is currently Trustee. He is Vice President of Garlic Connection, a member of the Woonsocket Lions Club, member of American Legion Post 85, life member of Veterans of Foreign War, previous board member of Hearts with Hope, chef and committee member of Operation Stand Down RI (OSDRI), assistant troop leader for Girl Scouts of America Troop 381 OLQM, member of WHS Music Boosters, and a volunteer with The Well Center of Hope to feed homeless.
​
The committee also takes into consideration what the nominee has done for Autumnfest. Mike has been leading the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts for the last 19 years in their efforts to pick up the trash at the end of the Autumnfest Parade. This is always a huge help to us during the festival weekend. This past year, they received the “Mayor’s Award” for all their behind the scenes work. He has also been working with Troop 2 and Pack 2 for the last 24 years as a food row vendor to sell a variety of treats over the years to festival visitors.
On top of all this, Mike is a dedicated family man to his wife Katherine, their 3 daughters, and 2 grandsons.
We look forward to honoring Mike during Autumnfest 47!
Former Grand Marshals
2024 Roger & Micheline Savini
2023 Robert & Nancy Phillips
2022 Jeanne Michon
2021 Jennifer Jolicoeur
2020 First Responders & Essential Workers
2019 Lisa Carcifero
2018 Paul Bourget
2017 Paul Shatraw
2016 Roger Picard
2015 Paul and Lorraine Jacob
2014 George Nasuti
2013 Dave Richards
2012 Bob Picard
2011 Tom Ward
2010 David Lahousse
2009 David Soucy
2008 Former Autumnfest Grand Marshals
2007 Richard Lepine
2006 Gary McLaughlin
2005 Raymond Bacon
2004 Eugene and Lorraine Cloutier
2003 John Gregory
2002 Noel Pincince
2001 Charles Baldelli
2000 Robert Billington
1999 John Chan
1998 Roger Begin
1997 Brenda and Ken Bianchi
1996 Francis Lanctot
1995 Viola Berard
1994 Clarice Csizmesia
1993 Gary Ventry
1992 Roger E. Bouchard
1991 Roger Lapierre
1990 Charles Paquin
1989 Former Autumnfest Chairmen
1988 Roger "Kay" Caron
1987 Sydney Goldstein
1986 Muriel Beaudet
1985 Vietnam Veterans
1984 Al Costa and Joe Solano
1983 Bill Belisle
1982 J. Harold Monroe
1981 Gaston A. Ayotte Jr.