Tulare County Fair Parade Grand Marshal is Susan Leal – Fair Opens Wednesday!!

The Tulare County Fair Board has selected longtime educator, mentor and community member Susan Leal to serve as the 2026 Tulare County Fair Parade Grand Marshal, announced Tulare County Fair CEO Dena Rizzardo.

“Susan represents what the Tulare County Fair Parade is all about community, tradition and generations of families coming together,” said Rizzardo. “For decades, she has dedicated herself to the young people of our community as an educator, mentor and instructor. Her longtime involvement in Tulare’s parades makes this recognition especially meaningful.”

Born in Porterville to Manuel and Hazel Leal, Susan grew up alongside her brother, Steve Leal, before eventually making Tulare her home.

Susan attended Tulare Western High School, where she was a majorette with the school band, and later continued as a majorette at College of the Sequoias. Her love of baton twirling and working with young people led her to open Susan’s Super Stars, where for more than 20 years she taught and encouraged generations of young performers.

Susan later began working at Kohn School and became the school librarian, further developing what would become one of the greatest passions of her life helping children learn and succeed. During those years, she also served as the auxiliary and color guard instructor at Tulare Union High School for approximately 10 to 15 years.

While balancing those responsibilities, Susan continued her education at National University, earned her teaching credentials and began a new chapter as a classroom teacher at Sundale School. She started as a fourth-grade teacher and, during more than 20 years at Sundale, taught nearly every grade level. Her impact extended beyond the classroom, including playing an important role in establishing Sundale’s Legacy House, a special place where students could learn, participate in activities and simply enjoy being kids.

Although Susan eventually retired from both her baton studio and teaching career, retirement has not separated her from the children and school community she spent so much of her life serving. She continues to help at Sundale whenever she can.

Susan also has a long history with Tulare’s local parades, particularly the Tulare County Fair Parade. For years, parade organizers would arrange the lineup so Susan could travel the route first as part of the band, then return to the beginning and make the trip again with Susan’s Super Stars.

“Anyone who grew up in Tulare during those years probably remembers Susan or Susan’s Super Stars coming down the parade route,” Rizzardo said. “After all those years of making sure her students had their opportunity to shine in the parade, it’s Susan’s turn to be celebrated.”

Today, Susan enjoys spending time with her partner, Chris Shannon, her daughters, Danielle and Ashley, and her much-loved pets, Dollie, Lacey and Kitty. She also enjoys trips to the beach house, flowers, Fresno State games, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Throughout her life, Susan has served her community as an educator, mentor, instructor and friend. Her decades of service and countless hours spent encouraging young people have touched generations of Tulare-area families.

The community she has spent a lifetime supporting will have the opportunity to celebrate Susan Leal as Grand Marshal of the Tulare County Fair Parade September 16, 2026.