Dave Brenner announced as Freedom Fest grand marshal

When choosing the grand marshal for the Freedom Fest parade, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce President Gail Loefgren said she for someone who has made a difference in the community.

Enter Dave Brenner.

Brenner will serve as the grand marshal in this year’s parade because “he’s done so much for the island, and is always looking for future projects,” Loefgren said. “He’s a visionary.”

“Catalyst. That’s a good word for David,” Loefgren said.  “He’s a catalyst. He makes things happen.”

Brenner, who has been a Longboat Key resident since 2000, has long been involved with island issues. He previously served on the Longboat Key Town Commission, on which he served as vice mayor from 2010 to 2013.

He has worked with the Planning & Zoning Board, and also helped launch the Longboat Key Foundation, which worked to establish a primary care physician on the island. Brenner said he told himself that four years of involvement was enough, but then realized that there were still things in the town that needed attention.

“You can get off your rear end and get involved, and if we’re not, then shame on us,” Brenner said.

Brenner is looking forward to the parade and is happy to be a part of it.  

“I’m just looking forward to having a good time on a day that not enough of us recognize,” he said.