Rep. Dewey Hill is Pecan Festival Parade's grand marshal | Community Spirit

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Retiring state representative Dewey Hill, a leading advocate for agriculture and agribusiness, will serve as grand marshal of the 2012 North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival parade on Saturday, Nov. 3. Hill, vice-chair of the House Agriculture Committee, has represented Columbus County in the General Assembly for 20 years.

“Dewey has accomplished so much for Columbus County over the past two decades as a champion of agriculture, a legislator and a business owner,” said Suzanne King of the Pecan Festival. “We thought it was fitting for the festival to honor Dewey as he finishes his final term in office. He has never hesitated to support the festival, and we are delighted that he accepted our invitation to lead the parade.”

Although he is not seeking an 11th term in the General Assembly, Hill, 86, says that he has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. A second-generation grocery store owner, he will continue to oversee the Hills Food Stores and Hillcrest Corp, a commercial real estate and development company.

In addition to running his businesses and serving in public office, Hill has been active in numerous local organizations throughout the years including the Whiteville Rotary Club, Greater Whiteville Chamber of Commerce, Columbus County Committee of 100, and Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina. Hill and his wife, Muriel, live at Lake Waccamaw and are active members of First Baptist Church of Whiteville.

Hill will be positioned in the lead car as the Pecan Harvest Festival parade departs from Whiteville High School at 10 a.m. and travels down Madison Street between the courthouse and Virgil Street. To enter a unit in the parade, call Charlie Duncan at 642-5004 or 642-7043. Additional information is available at www.ncpecanfestival.com