Placerville, Calif. (December 1, 2023) – In the heart of downtown Placerville, along the scenic Hangtown Creek, the Hangtown Christmas parade weaves its festive spirit through the historic streets. This year, the grand marshal is none other than Ed Hagen, a descendant of a Gold Rush miner whose family history is interwoven with the very creek the parade traverses.
Hagen’s journey unfolds like a storybook, echoing the pioneer spirit that defines the region. Descending from a miner who once extracted nuggets from Hangtown Creek, Hagen’s roots in El Dorado County run deep. His family’s westward journey by wagon train solidified their connection to the community, and Ed and his wife Sheryl have only strengthened those ties.
The Man Behind the Wheel: A 1924 Dodge Pickup and More
Married for 28 years and together for over four decades, Ed and Sheryl Hagen are pillars of the community. Ed, bestowed with the honor of leading this year’s parade, will cruise down Main Street in his 1924 Dodge pickup. Not just a parade marshal, Hagen’s love for vintage vehicles is evident with five more of his rigs joining the procession, including a logging truck reminiscent of his professional logging days.
A proud 1961 graduate of El Dorado High School, Ed’s journey includes service in the Marines. Post-service, he carved his niche in logging, even taking on seemingly impossible tasks like solo logging of the Highway 50 campgrounds, tackling colossal, dying trees that others deemed insurmountable.
From Trees to Tunes: A Multi-Faceted Community Servant
Ed’s legacy extends beyond logging. He played a crucial role in clearing log jams from the American River during mudslides and undertook horseback journeys to deliver mail when roads were impassable. His festive spirit shines during Christmas, delivering hand-made cards on horseback and serenading the community with his harmonica.
In 1981, during the energy crisis, Ed’s community-mindedness took him to Washington, D.C. The stunt of loading El Dorado County wood onto a truck for D.C. legislators caught President Ronald Reagan’s attention, although the wood-splitting plan was abandoned due to unforeseen circumstances.
A Life Well-Lived: Family, Joy, and Community Service
Retired and residing at the Hagen Ranch in El Dorado, Ed and Sheryl revel in a quieter life. The couple, parents to six children, grandparents to 14, and great-grandparents to three, have hosted the beloved Easter egg hunt on their ranch for over 50 years.
Sheryl describes Ed as an inspirational figure, always seeking to bring joy to children and extend a helping hand to those in need. His benevolence, often discreet, has touched countless lives in El Dorado County. As Sheryl aptly notes, “He’s always been one to help — help the underdog, talk to kids who might have strayed off the path over the years. I don’t even know how many people in the county he’s helped because he won’t tell me. That’s just the kind of person he is.”
In the Hangtown Christmas parade, Ed Hagen isn’t just a marshal; he’s a hometown hero embodying the spirit of community, resilience, and selfless service.
45th Hangtown Christmas Parade
Theme: Hometown Christmas
Route: Broadway to Main Street, Placerville
Date: Sunday, Dec. 3
Time: Starting on Broadway at 1 p.m.
Road closure: Noon to 4 p.m.
Grand Marshal: Ed Hagen
Presented by: Hangtown Christmas Parade Inc.
Line the parade route to see floats, marching bands, carolers, equine entries and Santa Claus.
