Turner selected as Elks parade Grand Marshal

WALLACE — A fixture of the Wallace Elks Lodge and the community as a whole will leading Saturday’s Elks roundup parade.

Beginning at 2 p.m., John Turner and the rest of the participants in the parade will march through town in honor of the 121st year that the Wallace Elks have held the roundup.

Although he is known by many for his work with the Elks Lodge (a current trustee and past Exalted Ruler of the Wallace Lodge), Turner may be more well known for his portrayal of the city’s namesake at the Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum (NPDRM): Col. William Wallace.

Since he moved to the area from Las Vegas, Nevada roughly thirteen years ago after working as a bartender at Caesar’s Palace for 32 years, Turner has been a Wallace Elks member. Turner, originally from the Black Hills of South Dakota, said that one of his motivations for joining the Elks was his father being a member.

As for Col. Wallace, Turner explained that he and NPDRM Director Shauna Hillman created the character 6 years ago when he came to work for the museum.

He has been donning the mustache and black top hat ever since.

Turner recently made the cover of the Shoshone News-Press when Col. Wallace’s actual gravestone was returned to the city in June.

He posed for the camera, while in costume, with members of Col. Wallace’s family next to the headstone.

As for being picked as Grand Marshal, Turner is very “excited” to lead the charge.

The purpose of the four-day roundup event is to raise awareness of the Wallace Elks, attract new members, and raise money for the Lodge’s charity activities.

The charity funds go toward youth scholarships, the Elks’ Christmas fund, veterans programs, and promote Americanism in our community.

Roundup events in addition to the parade on Saturday include a pig roast, beer garden, music, kids games, photo booth, campfire, and much more.

Tonight, the Elks will be holding a steak dinner at 5:00 p.m.