Immediate Release
August 19, 2009
Batavia, Ohio. “I seriously believe that being the town crier for Clermont County, Miami Township, Milford, and New Richmond has made me younger. It’s kept me moving with the adrenaline flowing!” said 78-year-old Bill Knepp of Miami Township. Actually, he can now be called Squire Knepp; the title comes from his appointment as a director to the National Board of the American Guild of Town Criers.
“I am having so much fun with this,” said Knepp who is generally wearing red, white, and blue colonial garb when he makes appearances leading a parade or opening an event. He makes an impression wherever he goes, tooling around the county in his so-called Old Glory mobile; the red, white, and blue decorated car was donated by local businessman Jeff Lykins. It has a removable sun roof; during parades, Knepp stands in the car and rings his ceremonial bell while his wife drives.
“The other day a Kentucky State trooper stopped me just to ask me about the car,” said Clermont County’s number one promoter. Did he get a ticket for anything? “No, the trooper asked me to pose for a picture with him. What do you think of that?”
Knepp has not only been a popular fixture across the county, he’s been a part of the Cincinnati Reds opening day parade, he’s led the Holland Tulip Time parade in Michigan, and he’s been featured in several national publications including USA Today and American Profile magazine.
How does he decide what he wants to “cry” to the crowd? This true red, white, and blue guy always leads crowds in a cheer promoting our homeland or the stars and stripes.
Pictured above: You can’t miss Clermont County Town crier Bill Knepp and the Old Glory mobile. His message is simple, God bless America!
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathryn Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.