The Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that retired Gun Lake Tribal leader D.K. Sprague will be grand marshal of the annual Christmas parade, which will step off at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

The parade will begin at at the Wayland VFW and conclude at the Wayland Fire Department.

Sprague was chairman for the Gun Lake Tribe for more than 24 years. He has also been a large supporter in the chamber, schools and community.

During Sprague’s leadership, the tribe achieved federal re-acknowledgment in 1999 and accomplished the goal of becoming self sufficient with the opening of the Gun Lake Casino in 2011.

Sprague served his country in the U.S. Army, including in the Vietnam War. He also volunteered with the Red Cross where he helped those in need during 14 natural disasters.

Sprague is still active in the community and enjoys spending time with his family, including his amazing dog Izzy, watching his grandchildren in sports and playing golf, including golfing in the chamber’s annual golf outing.

The Wayland Chamber’s Christmas parade was canceled a year ago because of the Covid-19 pandemic.