Reds Great Dave Parker Named Grand Marshal for Parkinson s Event

Dave Parker, a Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer, will serve as Grand Marshal for the University of Cincinnati’s Cintas Sunflower Rev It Up for Parkinson’s event on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 at Yeatman’s Cove, Sawyer Point Park in downtown Cincinnati. 

In its 11th year, the Cintas Sunflower Rev It Up for Parkinson’s is an annual fundraising event for Parkinson’s Disease research and education benefitting the Gardner Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders at UC. The event is presented by Montgomery Cyclery and the Beyersdorfer family. It includes: a 1k walk/wheelchair roll, 5k walk/run, Fleet Feet Brick (40k bike + 5k run),  25k, 40k and 100k bike rides and after-party with entertainment. 

Parker, who was raised in Cincinnati and graduated from Courter Tech High School, announced in 2013 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

"I’m a competitive guy and I’m not going to let it beat me and I’m not going to lay down to it,” Parker says. 

Parker will not only kick off the event, he and his wife, Kellye, will hop on their bikes and participate as well. He also will speak at and attend the Sunflower Rev It Up Symposium and Expo, a free educational seminar for patients and families, on Aug. 13, 2016 at the Oasis Conference Center in Loveland, Ohio.  

Parker patrolled right field for the Reds from 1984 to 1987. During a 19-year major-league career, Parker amassed 2,712 hits and 339 home runs and was named the 1978 National League Most Valuable Player. He also was named to seven All Star teams, won two batting titles and received three Silver Slugger and three Gold Glove awards. The Most Valuable Player of the 1979 All Star Game, Parker played on the World Series Champion 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates and 1989 Oakland Athletics. He was elected to the Reds’ Hall of Fame in 2012. 

 "I’m so pleased to be a part of both the Sunflower Rev It Up Walk/Ride/Run and the Symposium,” says Parker, "and I’m glad that I can be a voice for Parkinson’s in Cincinnati.”

For more information on the event or to register for either the event or the symposium, go to: www.sunflowerrev.org or contact Kathy Krumme, kkrevitup@gmail.com, 513-304-4854.