Art Solomon, NPF parade grand marshal and photographer, dead at 73

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – 2023 National Peanut Festival Parade Grand Marshal and Dothan businessman Art Solomon died late Sunday following an illness. He was 73.

Among Alabama’s most proficient professional photographers, Solomon started a Dothan business, Art Solomon Photography, that endured for decades.

However, his service went far beyond photos to his tireless community service.

As the president of the National Peanut Festival in 1985, his influence was profound. During his tenure on the board of directors, he and others signed Garth Brooks, who would become arguably the greatest country music superstar ever, to perform at the 1990 festival.

In 2023, the festival named Solomon its parade grand marshal, and the crowd cheered as he led the festivities down Main Street last November.

“I am deeply humbled and filled with pride that they chose me for this role,” he shared with News4.

Holman Headland Mortuary said funeral services from First Methodist Church of Dothan would be on Monday, April 15, at 2 p.m.

The mortuary will release an obituary on Tuesday.

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