OTTUMWA — Today’s Oktoberfest parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at O’Hara Hardware, and Chuck Osing will be near the front.

Osing is this year’s grand marshal. He’s a familiar face in Ottumwa and has been for many years. His work runs from chairing the Masons’ annual Christmas Day Dinner to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center Auxiliary, where he is the first male chairman.

His work with ORHC continues with the Lifeline program. And you guessed it, he’s the chairman there as well. He is also treasurer for several Masonic orders.

Osing was born in Packwood in 1923 and served in the Army during World War II. He served 18 months in the Pacific theater of operations.

Osing’s role as grand marshal will lead the parade eastward on West Main Street to Washington Street, turn north for one block, then head back east on West Second Street.

The parade will continue on Second Street until it reaches Green Street, where it will turn south for one block before turning onto Main Street. The final leg of the route is southbound on Market Street to the Oktoberfest tent.

Organizers expect the parade, which attracts dozens of area marching bands, to wrap up between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.