Celebrating A Community Icon: Marian Mullen Named Selma Railroad Days Parade Grand Marshal

SELMA – The Town of Selma has announced that Mrs. Marian Mullen has been named Grand Marshal for the 50th Annual Selma Railroad Days Parade, taking place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in historic Downtown Selma.

This year’s milestone event celebrates half a century of tradition, and Marian Mullen truly embodies the spirit, resilience, and heart of the Selma community. Her selection as Grand Marshal honors not only her own years of service and dedication, but also the lasting legacy of her family and late husband, Mr. Lewis Mullen, who was lovingly known as Selma’s unofficial town historian.

The Mullen Family played a pivotal role in the early development of the Selma Railroad Days Festival. Mr. Mullen, as a founding member of the Selma Development Partnership, helped organize many of the key events that brought the very first festival to life in 1975. The family’s deep love for local history and commitment to building a stronger Selma left a meaningful impact that continues to be felt today. The Mullen family is also responsible for starting the Selma Railroad Days 5K, the oldest continuously run 5K in NC, one year after the first Selma Railroad Days.

The Railroad Days Parade is one of the town’s most beloved traditions, bringing together families, schools, organizations, and local businesses in a vibrant celebration of community pride.

The 2025 parade begins at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 4th, and is expected to be one of the largest and most festive in the event’s 50-year history. The 50th Annual Selma Railroad Days Festival September 29-October 5 will feature live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts, a carnival, and a wide range of family-friendly activities celebrating Selma’s past, present, and future.