EMILIO RIVERA, 2026 parade grand marshal.

U.S. Army veteran and veteran of movies and television Emilio Rivera will be the 2026 Grand Marshal of the 66th Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Parade that will take place on Saturday, May 24.

Rivera has appeared in films such as “Collateral,” “Con Air,” “A Man Apart” and “Bullet.” His TV work has included roles on shows such as “Landman” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime.”

He enlisted in the army at age 18 before pursuing acting full-time.

This year the parade and festival theme is “Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary.” Three theme grand marshals will be Hal Yoak (U.S. Army veteran and long-time community leader, David Brambila (U.S. Marine Corps veteran and public servant) and Donald Marshall (U.S. Navy veteran and advocate for local veterans).

“This year’s celebration holds special meaning as we honor America’s 250th and pay tribute to the veterans who have shaped our nation and our community,” said Steve Sanders. president of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Assn.

The festival is held May 23-26 at the Village Green park (Main and Euclid streets) in downtown Garden Grove.