A Baxter couple — long known for their support of 4-H, FFA and the Jasper County Fair — has been selected as grand marshals of the upcoming Jasper County Fair parade, which is slated for 7 p.m. Monday, July 23, in Colfax.

Al and Jeanne Conover, who own and operate Conover Auction Service in Baxter, have been active in many aspects of the fair over the past 20 years. Through their company, they specialize in purebred livestock auctions and sale management with sales covering the U.S. and Canada.

The Conovers have longtime family ties to both their respective county fairs, and the Iowa State Fair. Al’s family was the first “Blue Ribbon Family” ever honored at the Iowa State Fair in 1964. Growing up, they both were active members in 4-H — Al in Ida County, Jeanne in Jasper County — and later became leaders of the Hominy Ridge 4-H Club in Baxter.