NYS Woodsmen's Field Days

This year’s Parade Marshal is Steve Pfendler

STEVE PFENDLER NAMED 2026 HONORARY GRAND PARADE MARSHAL

The Board of Directors of the New York State Woodsmen’s Field Days Corporation is proud to announce that the parade marshal for this year’s 79TH NYS Woodsmen’s Field Days is Mr. Steve Pfendler of Boonville, NY.

Steve was born in Boonville, NY on June 11, 1952. He is the son of Fred & Norma (Henry) Pfendler. Steve’s father was a sawmill operator and owner of over 45 acres on Jackson Hill in Boonville, NY. Steve’s love for the woods began as a youngster. He would be with his dad, Fred and Uncle Bob whenever they were in the woods and/or operating the family sawmill. When Steve was approximately 8 years old, he started to cut trees, hooked up the trees and eventually ran the dozer. His love of the industry was instilled in him through his dad and Uncle Bob.

In 1972, Steve married Cindy Muha of Boonville, NY. They have two children, Billy and Beth Ann.

Steve worked at Revere Copper & Brass in Rome, NY for a few years until he became employed by Eastern Rock where he spent 8 years jack hammering bridges. Steve went on to be a grade foreman for 25 years at Barrett Paving until his retirement. Throughout his working career he also spent much time producing lumber and firewood. Annually, he produces over 22 cord of firewood.

Steve’s 48 inch mill with inverted teeth has allowed him to single handedly saw over 40,000 board feet of lumber to date. Steve also purchases red pine poles from local mill, 3B Timber Company of Boonville, NY and produces beautiful hand-hewn beams and lumber. His talent and craftsmanship is showcased in the Adirondack League Club’s properties in Old Forge, NY. Not to mention all of the structures that his lumber and beams have been utilized in construction throughout the North Country.

Steve’s current project is rehabbing the popular area landmark, The Halfway House in Westernville, NY. This popular establishment has stood strong since the 1850’s alongside Route 46 in Westernville. Steve, along with his good friend, Ted Marsden, is working to bring beauty back to the each room.

An avid hunter for the “big bucks” hunting season is Steve’s favorite time of the year! Annually, he and his son Billy also lease a tract of land in Kansas and hunt together. Steve enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife Cindy have 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Steve will lead the Woodsmen’s Parade on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 12 noon. The Woodsmen’s Corporation will present him with a plaque honoring him for his years of service to the forest industry. Congratulations Steve!

Written by Phyllis W. White, Executive Coordinator, NYS Woodsmen’s Field Days,

2024 Parade Marshal was Mark Mowrey

Past Parade Marshals

2026	Steve Pfendler
2025	Dedicated to Past Parade Marshalls
2024	Mark Mowrey
2023	Dick and Sue Fogarty
2022	Jack Thoden
2021	Event Cancelled due to Covid
2020	Event Cancelled due to Covid
2019	Jack Swancott
2018	David Scott
2017	John & Omar Massoud
2016	Bruce Turck
2015	Newell F. Wagoner
2014	Norm & Les Fey
2013	Kenneth A. Lyndaker
2012	George Getman
2011	Bob Sauer
2010	Warren Mathis
2009	Joe Rivers
2008	Ray Spann
2007	Marilyn Lahah
2006	Lloyd E. Zehr
2005	Allen C. Yauger
2004	Bruce Denslow
2003	Ralph & Carol Martin
2002	Richard Rennie
2001	Chester & Henry Kwasniewski
2000	Ernest L. Portner
1999	Euan Greene
1998	J. Claude LeCours
1997	Robert S. McKinley
1996	Robert M. Coscomb
1995	Edwin Yauger
1994	Verner C. Hudson
1993	Frank Bencze
1992	Harry Martin
1991	Ralph Marmon
1990	Pat O’Brien
1989	Samuel R. Parmelee
1988	Elwin Rowell
1987	Charles McHale
1986	William Rutherford Jr.
1985	Frank E. Parsons
1984	Fred C. Simmons
1983	Stanley Freeman
1982	Gerald Laramie
1981	Dewitt Wiley
1980	Lester C. Fey
1979	Gardner Blake
1978	Otto Mathis
1977	Dave F. Short
1976	Gould J. Hoyt Jr.
1975	Olney Failing
1974	Herbert McGee
1973	Francis Moulton
1972	Charles Kirk
1971	Robert White Sr.