When the annual Stars and Stripes parade rolls through downtown Enumclaw Wednesday afternoon, Dennis Popp will be waving to the crowd as grand marshal.

Popp, a longtime fixture in Enumclaw, is past president of St. Elizabeth Hospital and currently vice president of support services for the Franciscan Health System.

A letter from the Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce explains that Popp was chosen “because of his lasting impact he has had in the Enumclaw community.”

Popp led the local hospital through more than 25 years of development. He became chief administrator of Community Memorial Hospital in 1985 and was at the helm through name changes to Enumclaw Community Hospital in 1999 and to Enumclaw Regional Hospital in 2006. He was in control when the independent facility became affiliated with Franciscan in 2007 and remained at the helm through construction and the 2011 opening of St. Elizabeth.

Wednesday’s parade begins at noon and follows its traditional southward journey along Cole Street.

Wednesday other Stars and Stripes event is the annual fireworks show at dusk.

There’s a change in locations, due to the proximity of an eagle nest near the Enumclaw Expo Center. Fireworks this year will be launched from the soccer fields near Southwood Elementary School.