2010 Honorary Chairperson
Marie Bronius

It is with much pleasure that the Dayton International Festival, Inc. presents Marie Bronius as this year’s honorary chair.  Marie is representative of a host of DIFI members who form the backbone of this festival serving year after year to bring The A World A’Fair to the greater Miami Valley community.
Marie was born in Utrecht, Holland, and immigrated to the United States in 1956 with her parents and sister.  Dayton, Ohio, has been her home ever since.  She spent her working years at Grandview Hospital and retired after 40 years of faithful service.
In 1974 the Holland American Club became a member of the Dayton International Festival, Inc., and for the next 36 years, Marie has actively worked on the DIFI board of directors and has been a fixture on the festival floor.  During this time, she has been a delegate or alternate delegate to the board faithfully attending all meetings as a representative of her country.  She was elected to the Board of Directors as Sergeant of Arms, Secretary, and Second Vice-President.  Her committee work has included arranging for the International Balls, helping to put together the yearly Program Books that were distributed at the festivals, and coordinating and distributing the Advance Tickets to all member organizations.
Marie has been involved with the Holland American Club of Dayton, Ohio, since its onset in the 1950’s.  For this organization she has served on the board for many years, has been Secretary and Vice-President, and currently is its President.
Marie Bronius wishes to thank the officers and delegates of DIFI for this honor and the honor it gives to the Holland American Club on her behalf.  She also wishes all officers, member organizations, and patrons a safe and wonderful festival.

To the patrons of the 2010 festival, don’t forget the saying we have used for so many years within our festival—ABSORB ALL CULTURES BUT FORGET NOT YOUR OWN  (Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine)

Previous Honorary Chairpersons

2009 Mayor Rhine McLin
2008 Patrick Hughes
2007 Mona Cannell
2006 Charles and Theresia Eyman
2005 John Pappas
2004 Anna R. Ctvrtnicek
2003 Richard A. Zimmer, City Commissioner
2002 Don and Sunny Hickey
2001 Karen Sitzman
2000 Marilyn Knight
1999 Wendy Cole
1998 Carl Day, WDTN Channel 2
1997 Sam and Ann Ballinger
1996 Joseph P. Whalen
1995 Jeannine Newhouse
1994 Jerry Schenking
1993 John Cole
1992 Glen E. Compton
1991 Richard B. Metzger
1990 Charles and Terry Eyman
1989 Maryan Caplan
1988 William A. Ademu-John
1987 Elinor Ambrose Sluzas
1986 Thomas F. Folino
1985 Aldona Ryan
1983 Grace Wolff
1982 Ed Hamlyn, WDTN Channel 2
1981 Jack Wymer, WING radio
1980 Lou Emm, WHIO
1979 Fr. Gabriel J. Rus, S.M.