The annual Toronto Days event will begin on Monday, June 29 as the annual Medallion Hunt begins with clues to be posted daily at City Hall and on their Facebook page. Pre-registration also opens for the Big Cat Contest.
The kids mud stomp will be held on Thursday, July 2. A firework show will be held at Toronto Point on Friday, July 3, with the majority of events being held on Saturday, July 4, including the annual parade which will feature Grand Marshals Brad and Sharri Fuller.
The following was submitted by Jessie Hoag, Toronto Days committee: “Some people make a community stronger through grand gestures. Others do it through countless small acts of kindness carried out over a lifetime. Brad and Sharri Fuller have done both, and this July they will be honored as the 2026 Toronto Days Grand Marshals.
For many local residents, the Fullers are known not only for what they have accomplished, but for the way they have always shown up for people. A 1978 graduate of Wellsville High School, Brad retired after a 42-year career with Union Pacific Railroad as an equipment mechanic. For more than 30 years, he has called Woodson County home and is known for his willingness to help friends and neighbors whenever they need a hand. One of Sharri’s stories captures Brad’s character particularly well. “When my boat sank in Toronto Lake, Brad took a week off work to get it removed,” Sharri recalled. “It was a challenge to him, and I didn’t really know him that well! Once he decides he’s going to solve a problem, there’s usually no talking him out of it.” Apparently, that determination paid off. Brad and Sharri will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary this year.
Whether it’s spending hours on his skid loader helping with a project, getting a stubborn tractor running, lending a tool, or tracking down a hard-tofind part, Brad has built a reputation for being the person people call when they need a hand. Friends know that asking for help means he will stay until the job is finished. Retirement has given him more time to enjoy what he loves most: restoring old cars, tackling new projects, and spending time with family and friends. For many years, Brad and Sharri shared a love of drag racing, and today that passion continues with a junior dragster in the family. Brad often says, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” Sharri shares Brad’s generous spirit. A 1978 graduate of Yates Center High School, Sharri describes herself as a shy music and computer enthusiast growing up. After earning an associate degree in Data Processing from Butler County Community College, she returned home and built a career she never expected.
“Due to my shyness, I never dreamed that I would be working in public retail,” she said. “It was quite a challenge. But after 45 years at Toronto Lumber, I’ve learned to overcome it. To be able to send my customer home with what they need to complete their project just makes my day.”
It wasn’t always easy running a woman-owned business in a male-dominated field. Over time, Sharri earned the respect and friendship of her customers with her steady presence, practical advice, friendly service, and dedication to doing things the right way, every time. Along the way, she did not hesitate to give back. She has served as Toronto Township Treasurer and many different offices within the Toronto Booster Club. She has been involved in planning Toronto Days for many years. She is now serving as Treasurer for the Woodson County Chamber Board. When she isn’t at the lumber yard, Sharri can usually be found listening to audiobooks, tending her garden, or taking drives down the back roads of Woodson County.
Family remains at the center of Sharri’s life. Her oldest son, Seth Hoag, and his wife, Maddie, are rebuilding the family’s cattle operation, carrying on a legacy that stretches back generations. They are raising Wyatt, Peyton, and Jenna, who enjoy ranching, 4-H, and spending time outdoors. Sharri’s youngest son, Drew Hoag, now manages Toronto Lumber Company, where his wife, Jessie, also works parttime. They are raising Harley, Elliot, and Parker, who share Sharri’s love of music and a strong sense of community involvement. Brad and Sharri take great pride in following their grandchildren’s busy lives and in seeing family traditions continue into the next generation.
The Fullers have been part of Toronto Days for many years and have accumulated plenty of memories along the way. Sharri’s favorite event is the Mud Volleyball Tournament.
“Watching the Ludwig and Tyner families work to build up the event, I wanted to ensure it continued,” she said. In recent years, Toronto Lumber has put on the tournament, helping preserve one of Toronto Days’ most popular traditions. Another favorite is the parade. The couple still laughs about the years Brad has turned the parade route into his own personal racetrack, riding everything from a mini bike to a dragster through town.
As the Toronto Days parade makes its way back down Main Street this Fourth of July, residents will have the opportunity to celebrate two people whose lives embody the spirit of smalltown Kansas. Through family, friendships, hard work, and countless memorable adventures, Brad and Sharri have made Toronto a better place to call home.”
The annual Toronto Days parade will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, on Main Street.
