SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Celebrating its 50^th edition this season, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe will welcome local legends who have made international impact as Barbara Barrett, Jagger Eaton and Dan Majerle will join as Special Guests for the Saturday, December 17, march through Central Phoenix.

These community icons have brought honor to their home of Arizona, and will be honored for their contributions in celebration of the Parade's theme of "Legends Made Here."

Barrett made history in becoming the 25^th Secretary of the Air Force, serving from 2019 to 2021, where she led the Department of the Air Force and was responsible for the organization and training of the U.S. Air and Space Forces, working closely with Congress and the President. In that role, she oversaw the well-being of the nearly 700,000 active-duty airmen and their families. Barrett, who was founding chair of the Valley Bank of Arizona and an executive of two global Fortune 500 companies before the age of 30, is a proud triple-graduate of Arizona State University, earning her Bachelor of Science, Master of Public Administration and Juris Doctor all from ASU. She and her husband are commemorated by the Barrett Honors College at the university, which has borne their last name since 2001.

"The Fiesta Bowl has been an Arizona treasure that unites the Valley and showcases our great state. The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe is a highlight of the Holiday Season, leading into the Fiesta Bowl game that projects Arizona's mid-winter sunshine into homes and meeting places across America," Barrett said. "Throughout the year, it's impressive how 'Team Fiesta Bowl' strengthens and supports our communities through millions of dollars in charitable giving to meet Arizona needs."

Eaton is a Mesa, Arizona, native and a standout skateboarder on the world stage. As a member of Team USA, he became the recipient of the first-ever Olympic medal in skateboarding when he took home the bronze medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Eaton, a Guinness World Record holder, started skating at four years old. His 10-year history of competing in the X Games began when he was just 11 years old, setting a new record for the youngest athlete to ever participate in the X Games.

"The Eaton family roots run deep in Arizona. My great grandparents moved here in the 1950s and our family has always done our best to serve the community," Eaton said. "Arizona is my home, and I'm proud to say that this is where I'm from."

Majerle played 14 years in the NBA, starting off his career with the Phoenix Suns after being drafted with the 14th overall pick in 1988. Seven of "Thunder Dan's" eight years with Phoenix included trips to the playoffs, with the famous 1993 run advancing to the NBA Finals against the legendary Chicago Bulls team led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Majerle's name was unveiled on the Suns Ring of Honor in 2003 and the Suns have awarded the Dan Majerle Hustle Award to the player each season who demonstrates the determination and hustle Majerle was known for as a player. A beloved Arizona sports icon, Majerle also spent seven years coaching the Grand Canyon University men's basketball team and owns two restaurants in the Valley.

"I'm honored to join my good friend and Grand Marshal Al McCoy this year for Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, as one of the many Suns players who have been greatly impacted by Al's friendship and legacy," said Majerle. "My affinity with Al began when I joined the Suns in 1988 and I'm proud to now call Al a friend and Arizona my home. The Fiesta Bowl has been an instrumental part of the Arizona community for even longer and made such an impact for us all."

The three Special Guests will join Al McCoy and nearly 3,000 other participants on the route during Arizona's highest-attended single day event.

"The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe is a signature event on the Fiesta Bowl calendar, and a great way to kick off the holidays and our Bowl Season activities. In November, we were excited to announce Al McCoy as our Grand Marshal, as he truly sets the standard of a Legend Made Here in Arizona," said Fiesta Bowl Board Chair Randal Norton. "These three distinguished individuals are also shining examples of those who bring great pride to our state as a result of their significant accomplishments. Together, with our Grand Marshal Al McCoy, they will help elevate the pageantry of our Parade to new heights."

McCoy moved to Arizona from his native Iowa and was named the "Voice of the Suns" in 1972, setting the course for a career that includes the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Entering his 51^st season with the Phoenix Suns, McCoy has called the most significant moments in Suns history, bringing the excitement of the action into the homes of Suns fans across the state. McCoy has become synonymous with the team and is the longest-tenured NBA broadcaster in NBA history. Fans in Arizona are familiar with signature phrases like "Shazam" for a Suns made three-pointer and "Wham Bam Slam" after a highlight dunk.

For the second straight season, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe will enjoy its own spotlight by moving two weeks prior to gameday for the state's highest-attended single-day event on Saturday, December 17. Admission is free to the public. The Parade is broadcast live on Arizona's Family 3TV, online and through the AZFamily app.

A combination of more than 3,000 men, women, children and animals participate in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe annually – which features various brilliantly colored floats, giant balloons, antique cars, equestrian units, charitable groups, local celebrities, marching bands and more.

For more information about the event, please visit www.FiestaBowl.org/parade.

ABOUT THE FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.

ABOUT Vrbo
In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together. Since then, we've grown into a global community of homeowners and travelers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book cabins, condos, beach houses and every kind of space in between. Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month. To learn more, visit www.vrbo.com.
 
ABOUT LERNER & ROWE INJURY ATTORNEYS
Attorneys Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe have grown Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys into one of the largest personal injury firms in the country with 11 locations just in Arizona, over 50 total attorneys, and more than 350 total support staff. The law firm's continuous exalted levels of success can be attributed to the high levels of respect and dignity shown to victims and family members hurt in an accident. Further, the firm takes pride in nourishing these relationships as they know a personal injury attorney can make all the difference in obtaining fair compensation for the pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims of tortious conduct. Learn more about the firm and the many other community services they support at LernerAndRowe.com, LernerAndRoweGivesBack.com, and @LernerAndRowe on Instagram.

Media Contact: Scott Leightman (sleightman@fiestabowl.org; 480.517.6291)