The Englewood community has named Linda Stevens as the Grand Marshal for the 2026 Pioneer Days Parade, a moment that feels long overdue, given her decades of unwavering commitment to Englewood, local traditions, service, and charity.
Linda’s name is practically synonymous with Englewood itself and has been a familiar and beloved part of Englewood for generations. In 1985, she opened Stevens the Florist, located at 3455 S. Access Road, building the business into a longtime local staple while becoming deeply involved in the community she called home.
Pioneer Days especially holds a special place in Linda’s heart. In 2002, she became Englewood’s “Mayor for a Day,” inspired by her vibrant “Flower Power” campaign that rallied the town and raised money for the Boys & Girls Club and the Englewood Animal Rescue Sanctuary. She didn’t stop there. Linda continued to support both the tradition and the causes behind it, helping to drive fundraising in 2003 and 2019 and channeling thousands of dollars to local charities and youth programs.
You can’t talk about the parade without mentioning Linda’s creative flair. In 2006, for the 50th Anniversary Jaycees Pioneer Days Parade, she and her team built a massive, themed float, one more way she poured her energy and spirit into one of Englewood’s most cherished days of the year.
Her impact goes way beyond one event or one weekend a year. As an active Rotarian, Linda has played a major role in groups like Kids’ Needs, Suncoast Humane Society, and continues unflagging support for the Englewood Animal Rescue Sanctuary. She’s always there when the community needs her, helping with festivals, drives, and pretty much every annual celebration Englewood puts on. And, of course, she’s back year after year, helping craft the mayoral sashes worn during the festivities and cheering on other Mayor 4 a Day candidates.
“Linda Stevens represents everything that makes Pioneer Days so special,” says Kim Parks. “She’s given her time, her creativity, her energy, and her heart to this community—over and over again. From her Flower Power campaign to her joyful parade floats and all the countless charitable projects, she’s made Englewood more vibrant and more connected. We are absolutely thrilled to honor her as the 2026 Grand Marshal.”
As Grand Marshal, you’ll spot Linda right up front, leading the 2026 Pioneer Days Parade, celebrating the history, spirit, and sense of togetherness that keep Pioneer Days central to Englewood year after year.
Linda felt clearly moved when we spoke with her about the honor. “I am so happy, but honestly, I’m overwhelmed. Really, it’s just an honor.”
How did she find out? Linda laughs, “Well, this morning I got a message from Kim Parks at the Chamber. She just said, ‘Hey, if you get a minute, can you give me a call?’ I called, and she said, ‘Well, I wanted you to know, you’re going to be our Grand Marshal.’ I was just blown away. The thing is, I make all the sashes for the mayors and Grand Marshals, and I’d literally just finished making the Grand Marshal sash and dropped it off to Kim. I said, ‘Here’s the Grand Marshal sash,’ and she said, ‘Oh, thank you.’ I had no idea it was for me! I’ve been in tears, just completely overwhelmed and emotional all morning.”
Thinking about what makes it all worthwhile, Linda says, “I just feel so lucky to be part of this community. It’s filled with the most giving, caring people. It really is an honor.”
There’s more to Linda’s story than even the parade covers. “One thing I’m really proud of is that I’m the treasurer for FAME—Friends for the Advancement of Musical Education. A few friends and I started it, and so far, we’ve given nearly half a million dollars’ worth of musical instruments to local schools.”
Linda sums up how she feels: “I am just so humbled and honored. There are so many people in Englewood who deserve this, and I honestly was just blown away. This is an amazing community, and giving back to it is the least I can do, considering how much it’s given me.”
Congratulations to Linda Stevens, the 2026 Pioneer Days Grand Marshal, a role she’s earned in every sense.
