GARDEN GROVE, CA – Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy Award‐nominated actress Sally Kellerman has been named Celebrity Grand Marshal of the 57th annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
parade. The festival will be held Memorial Day Weekend Friday, May 22nd through Monday, May 25th,
2015. Since the festival’s 2015 theme is “Honoring Our Returning Veterans,” Lt. Col. Patricia Murray was
chosen as the Theme Grand Marshal. A former Miss California, Lt. Col. Murray is an instructor pilot for
the California Air National Guard in the 115th Airlift Squadron. She has flown six tours of duty in the Middle
East, has earned 5 flying Air Medals and was named the 2010 California Air National Guard Field Grade
Officer of the Year.
In addition, thirteen TV and film stars will be joining them in the Saturday, May 23rd parade at 10 a.m.
They include Jacob Hopkins (The Goldbergs, Gumballs), Ava Kolker (Girl Meets World), Jaida‐Iman
Benjamin (Liv and Maddie), Santana Dempsey (The Newsroom), Gregg Daniel (True Blood, Spiderman 3),
Emily Robinson (Transparent), Julie Adams (Creature from the Black Lagoon), Erin Murphy (Bewitched),
Forrest Wheeler (Fresh Off the Boat), Ian Chen (Fresh Off the Boat), Kate Linder (The Young & The
Restless), Vera Jimenez (KTLA News Ch. 5), Asia Monet Ray (Dance Moms) plus Knott’s Berry Farms’
Snoopy and Ronald McDonald.
Sally Kellerman’s acting career spans nearly 60 years. She’ll forever be identified with her role as “Hot
Lips” Houlihan in Robert Altman’s original film version of “M*A*S*H*,” which earned her both Oscar and
Golden Globe nominations. She was just nominated for an Emmy for her guest appearances this season
on “The Young and the Restless.” Sally has been seen in more than 50 films and countless TV shows,
including the original pilot episode of “Star Trek.” She has a recurring role on Marc Maron’s IFC comedy
series “Maron.” Also an accomplished singer, she has a new CD entitled “Sally,” and her memoir “Read
My Lips” is currently in bookstores.
Lt. Col. Patricia Murray has a Master’s degree in Military Science and Operational Art. She earned her B.S.
in Aeronautical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University and used her scholarship funds as
Miss California 1992 to pursue a career in commercial aviation. She was recruited by the California Air
National Guard to fly the C‐130 J Super Hercules aircraft and was awarded the top honor of the
Commanders Trophy at military pilot training graduation and was inducted into the Order of Daedalians, a
WWII flying organization. Patricia is currently a director on the Disabled Veterans Charities board that helps disabled and struggling veterans in the Los Angeles Area. She has flown 15 years as a pilot for
American Airlines.
Vera Jimenez, a meteorologist and traffic reporter for KTLA 5 News at 6 and at 10, has earned two Emmys,
three Golden Mikes and three Golden Pylons awards. She was born in Mexico and moved to Southern
California when she was 3. Most of her family still lives in Garden Grove where she attended Bolsa Grande
High School. She graduated with honors from Cal State Long Beach and started her career in broadcasting,
working at radio stations KIK‐FM and KFWB‐AM. She says her best learning experience came while at KNX‐
AM, where she was an airborne traffic reporter. Vera eventually moved to TV ‐‐ first for KABC‐TV and then
for KCBS‐TV. While there she went back to school and in 2009 earned a certificate in meteorology from
Mississippi State.
Julie Adams has appeared in fifty films and hundreds of television episodes. On the stage, she has starred
in over a dozen plays and won a 1989 Drama‐Logue Award for her portrayal of Mary Tyrone in Eugene
O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night. In 1999, Julie won a Golden Boot Award for her work in Westerns,
and was honored with a Film Career Achievement Award from Cinecon in 2011. That year she also
completed her award‐winning autobiography, The Lucky Southern Star: Reflections from the Black Lagoon.
Last year marked the 60th Anniversary of Universal’s Creature from the Black Lagoon. She still has millions
of fans all over the world who adore her portrayal of Kay Lawrence, the lovely bathing beauty in this sci‐fi
classic. In 2013 she was recognized by the LA City Council and the LA County Board of Supervisors for her
six decades of contributions to the Los Angeles film industry.
Erin Murphy began her career while still in diapers. One of her first jobs was a detergent commercial with
future President Ronald Reagan. Before her second birthday, ABC cast her as little witch Tabitha Stephens
on the top ten sitcom, Bewitched. Magazine covers, television appearances, comic books, dolls and paper
dolls in her likeness soon followed. After eight seasons, 23 Emmy nominations, and 254 episodes,
Bewitched, ended without cancellation. Both Entertainment Weekly and the TV Guide named Bewitched
one of the Greatest TV Shows of All Time. In Salem Erin unveiled a Bewitched statue for the TV Land
Landmarks series. TV Week Magazine in Australia named Erin number three on their list of Top 10 TV Kids
of all time. In Japan she is still mobbed by fans who know her as “Tabitha‐san.” As an adult, Erin works as
an acting teacher, television producer, casting director, makeup artist, motivational speaker and even a
stunt double. She has made numerous guest appearances on TV shows and has been featured in many
popular publications. Heavily involved in community and charity work, Erin is the proud mother to six boys
and wife to husband Darren (yes, that’s really his name!).
Forrest Wheeler loves appearing in his new role as Emery, the cool younger brother of Eddie Huang, on
the new ABC primetime TV series “Fresh Off the Boat.” In just a few years, he developed a thriving career
working on numerous commercials, live performances, voice‐overs and TV Shows including “Community,”
“New Girl” and “Chasing Life.” His first job on the big screen was in “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.”
He’s had roles as the young Kuai‐Liang in “Mortal Kombat: Legacy II” and recently in the movie “Such Good
People.” He speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
It was almost 33 years ago when Kate Linder got the role of Esther Valentine and delivered her line,
“Dinner is served,” on The Young and the Restless in April 1982. She was asked back the next day and the
next. Now she remains a key member of the top‐rated daytime drama’s cast. Still the realist, however,
she continues to fly the friendly skies of United on weekends as a flight attendant while simultaneously
appearing on the soap opera. In 2005, Linder was elected to two terms as Governor of Daytime
Programming Peer Group for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences who put on the Emmy Awards.
On April 10, 2008, Linder received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Prior to playing Evan Huang on ABC’s hit comedy, “Fresh Off the Boat,” nine‐year‐old Ian Chen guest‐
starred in a dramatic role on “Grey’s Anatomy.” Ian began his acting career after booking his first
commercial at age five. He loves being on set to learn about all aspects of the film process. Ian wants to be an airline pilot when he grows up. He and his younger brother, Max, who also does some acting, speak
fluently in English and Mandarin.
At the age of 13 Jacob Hopkins’ versatility and talent has brought him acting success. He is currently the
voice of Gumball Watterson in Cartoon Network’s hit animated series, “The Amazing World of Gumball.”
He also has a recurring role as Chad Kremp on ABC’s hit series, “The Goldbergs.” Jacob was also seen in
the fifth season of the HBO series, “True Blood” as the youngest looking vampire, Alexander Drew. He has
guest starred on many TV shows, acted in short films, playing an autistic boy in “Sunchld,” and has
appeared in several national commercials, web series, and print campaigns. An accomplished martial
artist, he currently holds a black belt in Taekwondo.
Eight year old actress Ava Kolker is currently on the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World where
she plays the sassy “Ava Stern,” a character created especially for her. Recently Ava worked with
Katie Holmes and Jean Smart in the acclaimed TriBeCa Fest hit, Miss Meadows. Last year she cracked
up audiences in Scary Movie 5 as the demonic Lily. Ava landed her first on‐camera job at age four
on the Emmy‐Award‐winning series American Horror Story, playing a possessed three year old. She
was then cast in Golden Winter opposite Shannon Elizabeth, and in The Trials of Cate McCall as Kate
Beckinsale’s young daughter, Augie. Other appearances include commercials and the Nickelodeon fan
favorite Sam & Cat.
Jaida‐Iman Benjamin is a young American actress who has guest‐starred on Disney’s Liv & Maddie and
Austin & Ally, TNT’s Southland and Nat Geo Wild. Currently, she is a Disney Channel Movie Surfer. Before
coming to LA, she appeared as “July” in the National Broadway tour of “Annie” and has done several music
videos and national commercials. At age 12, Jaida‐Iman began working as a professional dancer for the
“Knicks City Kid” hip‐hop dance group, performing at NBA ALL‐Star games including the Knicks half time
games in Madison Square Garden. As a member of the prestigious group called “The Broadway Kids” she
entertained hundreds of high‐profile guests at the Kennedy Center in support of The Children’s Defense
Fund.
The versatile Santana Dempsey is an actress, writer, and mixed race advocate. She played one of the leads
in the Lifetime movie Megachurch Murder. She also co‐starred in the third season of HBO’s hit drama The
Newsroom and Direct T.V’s new drama Kingdom. Her other credits include: French Dirty (set to premiere
at the 2015 LA Film Festival), Evolve, English Vinglish and Courtside. A University of Missouri alumnus,
Santana, an accomplished stage performer, wrote and stars in the critically acclaimed one‐woman show,
The Other Box coming to LA this November. She is an ambassador for the non‐profit “Mixed Roots
Foundation” helping bring awareness to those touched by adoption, and is now working on an art project
“Somewhere In Between” that celebrates identity and diversity.
Actor/Director Gregg Daniel stars in HBO’s Emmy‐winning series True Blood as Reverend Daniels. With
over 100 credits in film and television, Gregg’s roles span from comedy (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Weeds) to
drama (The West Wing, Castle, Desperate Housewives) to children’s shows (Austin & Ally, Kickin’ It). Big
screen credits include Spiderman 3, Hancock, Mars Attacks, Evan Almighty, Pump Up The Volume, and
White Men Can’t Jump. Gregg is the Artistic Director of the Los Angeles‐based Lower Depth Theatre
Ensemble, and his show Elmina’s Kitchen was nominated for both the 2013 NAACP Image and Best
Ensemble Award. A trained theatre actor, Gregg stars as Lord Montague in Shakespeare Center of L.A.’s
production of Romeo & Juliet this summer. Previous stage credits include The Mark Taper Forum (Joe
Turner’s Come and Gone), the Pasadena Playhouse (Jitney), and South Coast Repertory (Fences, Death of
a Salesman, A Christmas Carol).
Emily Robinson began her career modeling with Ford Models at age six; she expanded into
television/radio work at age seven. Television credits include Rizzoli & Isles (TNT), Criminal Minds (CBS),
Transparent (Amazon), Scorpion (CBS), A.N.T. Farm, (Disney), The Following (FOX), CSI:NY (CBS), Person of
Interest (CBS), Saturday Night Live (NBC), and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC). Emily also appeared in
Betty White’s special Betty White Goes Wild (Nat Geo Wild), and recently filmed the movie Broken Vows,
starring Wes Bentley and Jaimie Alexander. She also volunteers with Broadway Kids Care, UCLA Medical
Center, and GenerationOn.
At only nine years old, Asia Monet Ray has a standout role on Season 3 of the hit series Dance Moms. She
can also be seen on her own show Raising Asia on Lifetime. She’ll be in the upcoming indie film Sister Code
with Amber Rose, slated to hit theaters on May 8th. Her many fans can enjoy Asia’s musical talent with
her debut LP “Asia Monet” and her Christmas single “Christmas Time.”
Two DJ’s from K‐Wave Radio, Cathi Parrish and Norm McBride, will also be in the parade, along with Miss
Garden Grove Shannon Galipault and Miss Garden Grove Outstanding Teen Josie Pearce.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The festival will be held Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 22nd through Monday, May 25th, 2015.
Friday hours are 1:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday from 10
a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free. Special one‐price ride‐all‐day wristbands will be offered at $30 per
wristband on Friday and $35 each on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Tickets for individual rides can also
be purchased separately at $1 per ticket.
The four‐day event, which is the second largest city festival in the Western United States, will be held at
the Village Green between Main Street and Euclid Avenue in downtown Garden Grove. Last year’s
attendance was more than 300,000. Highlights include the Friday evening official giant strawberry cake‐
cutting ceremony at 6:00 p.m. at the Showmobile (Acacia & Main streets) when free cake is served to
more than 2,000 people.
On Saturday morning, there will be a City of Garden Grove sister‐city 5K Run and a festival VIP celebrity
breakfast at the Garden Grove Community Center, with proceeds going to Casa Garcia’s We Give Thanks.
This is followed by a celebrity parade which starts at 10 a.m. with floats, bands, equestrians, characters
including Knott’s Berry Farms’ Snoopy, film and TV celebrities ‐‐ plus returning veterans and their families ‐
‐ who will be honored in the parade.
All four festival days will include 35 carnival rides, four contests, over 200 food and shopping booths,
games, music and live entertainment in the festival’s 550‐seat amphitheater and Showmobile. Contests,
held in the amphitheater, include the Berry, Berry Beautiful Baby Contest; Redhead Roundup;
Strawberry Idol Karaoke; and Tiny Tots King and Queen.
Sponsorship support this year comes from Southern California Ford Dealers, Garden Grove Tourism
Promotion Corporation, Clear Channel Outdoors, McDonalds, Care Ambulance Service, Sam’s Club, Garden
Grove Hospital, Brandywine Homes, Garden Grove Secured Storage, Allspace Storage, Embassy Suites,
Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn and Suites and Casa Garcia. Media sponsors include Parenting OC, OC
News and its Community Newspapers, OC Weekly, Garden Grove Journal, Korea Times, Nguoi Viet Daily
News, El Panamericano, Farandula USA, Miniondas, and radio stations 103.4 MYfm, KOST, JACK FM, KABC,
KLOS, KDAY‐FM, KWVE, KSWB 100.3fm The Sound LA, KWIZ La Rockola, AIR1 Radio, Radiocentro 93.9,
KEARTH 101 and The Wave.
For additional information, call (714) 638‐0981 or visit www.strawberryfestival.org.
