County Clerk-Recorder Diaz to march as Obama in Constitution Day Parade

Nevada County Clerk-Recorder Gregory Diaz will be the nation's 44^th president in Nevada City's Annual Constitution Day Parade, according to Nancy Patmont, the chair of the Famous Marching Presidents Steering Committee.

“Gregory Diaz has graciously agreed to represent Barack Obama and his wife will be the first lady,” Patmont said.

Since Diaz is marching for a newly elected president, he and his wife will be leading the Famous Marching Presidents in the parade.

  Diaz said he and his wife, Katherine, are looking forward to marching although he had to give it some thought first.

  "After talking to my wife about it, I'm all for it and my wife is looking forward to being Michelle," he said.

The Famous Marching Presidents have been marching for 21 years in the Constitution Day Parade, which will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13, in downtown Nevada City.

Each of the presidents and their first ladies are represented in the parade in what is touted as part of the oldest and largest Constitution Day celebration in the western United States.

Rick Ewald and Sherrine Crowley marched last year as President Bush and his first lady, Laura, and are expected to return this year.

Diaz was appointed to the Nevada County clerk-recorders position in June 2007, replacing Kathleen Smith who resigned.

To see a complete list of the Marching Presidents, go to marchingpresidents.org.