It was because of the efforts the Johnsons put into helping their community whenever possible — hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner for those alone or in need every year, for example — that made them an obvious choice for Frontier Days Parade grand marshals, Frontier Days Chair Terry Cook said.

“They do a lot in the community,” Cook said. “They’re always helping if they need to. … I think it’s very fitting with what they’ve done in the community.”

Cook, with some help from the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, surprised the Johnsons at their dealership on Monday afternoon to share the news that they were chosen to be grand marshals.

Deb Johnson said she was “shocked” about Monday’s reveal.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Frontier Days Chairman Terry Cook, right, presents Casey and Deb Johnson with Stetson hats for them to wear as they serve as grand marshals of the 2023 Frontier Days parade. The hats were presented to the Johnsons on Monday afternoon.

“It’s an amazing honor,” she said.

Casey Johnson echoed that sentiment, adding that Frontier Days is a “great tradition” of Fort Dodge.

“We’re very touched,” he said.

The Johnsons moved to Fort Dodge in 1996 when they purchased the existing Ford dealership in town. A few years later, they purchased a Toyota franchise and moved both businesses to Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota’s current location, 2723 Fifth Ave. S. In 2012, the Johnsons expanded to Ames, purchasing the Ford and Lincoln dealership there.

Throughout their 26 years in Fort Dodge, Deb and Casey Johnson have made an effort to be integrally involved in philanthropy in the Fort Dodge area, their son, Matt Johnson, said. They’re probably most known for their Thanksgiving meal, but they’ve also fundraised for Wheels for Work, Meals on Wheels, Bikes for Tykes, the Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center, the American Heart Association and more.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Isabella Johnson, 5, tries on her grandma Deb Johnson’s Stetson hat on Monday afternoon. Deb and Casey Johnson, owners of Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota, were named the 2023 Frontier Days parade grand marshals.

Cook said that throughout the year, he receives names of different individuals and couples to be parade marshal candidates. He then takes those names to the celebration committee, who vote on which candidate or candidates to choose.

“Deb and I have known a lot of the previous recipients and to be grouped with those people, it’s just a true honor,” Casey Johnson said. “We love this community and have always been involved in it, but this is totally unexpected.”

With this honor, the Johnsons join a long list of Fort Dodge titans who have been named Frontier Days grand marshals.

“You can be a governor or a senator, but not everyone can be a Frontier Days marshal,” Casey Johnson said. “When you look back at the rich tradition of Frontier Days, it’s really part of the Fort Dodge fabric. People look forward to it and it’s always something that we look forward to.”

The 2023 Frontier Days Celebration will be June 2-4. The parade is on the morning of June 3. As grand marshals, Deb and Casey Johnson will lead the parade down Central Avenue.

“There’s one thing for certain,” Casey Johnson said. “This year’s parade marshals won’t be driving in a Chrysler.”