Shirley and Steve Knight have been chosen as this year’s Solon Beef Days Cornerstone Grand Marshals of the 2026 Celebration. This special recognition is awarded for their involvement in community activities that have made a positive impact on the Solon community and surrounding area. Thank you for giving your time and care to our community.
Steve’s Background: Steve was raised in Iowa City and after graduating from City High he went into the U.S. Navy and was a radioman on the USS Muliphen AKA61. After he returned home, he continued his service in the reserves for six years and worked for Roadway Express for 32yrs.
Shirley’s Background: Shirley was born in Sigourney, IA and raised on a farm in Webster. She worked for several years before working with college students in advising and admissions while proudly claiming her dream job was becoming a grandmother to four grandchildren.
Family: Shirey and Steve were married in Sept.1969 and this year we will celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary this year.
Their family includes two children: their daughter, Stephanie, and a son, Chris (Bubba). Stephanie and her husband, Mike, have two children, Cormac and Keegan and live in Olathe KS. Chris and his wife, Sarah, have two children, Austin and Gable, and live in Solon.
Solon became their home in 1977 when their daughter was 4yrs old and son was 2yrs and they are thankful to have met so many wonderful people, and glad that many are in Solon today.
Steve’s involvement over the years: Board of Adjustments and P&Z, Library Board, member of the Solon American Legion, took stats for Solon Football for 32 years watching his son, Chris and grandson, Austin, play, coached both their kids in youth basketball for YMCA League, past Solon Athletic Booster Club President, coached boys Babe Ruth League with Charles Whetstine, played on a Softball team at Legion Field with other Solon residents, participated in the Sunday Basketball Team at the old H.S. in Solon with Denny Gruber and Jerry Linderbaum, PEO election official for 20 plus yrs and have worked the late shift at the Beef Days Beer Tent for several years.
Shirley’s involvement over the years: Solon PTO, classroom mom for holiday parties at Lakeview when their kids attended school there, Rock ‘n Read at Solon Elementary when their grandchildren were in kindergarten and 1st grade, read to children at Play and Learn where their granddaughter attended, Solon Women’s Club.
Both Steve and Shirley have sold tickets since the early 1980s for the Beef Days Steak Dinners, were youth group sponsors Solon United Methodist Church when their kids were young teens, were members of the Solon Athletic Booster Club throughout their kids’ school years, working many events at the Carver Hawkeye Arena, and have worked the Legion fish fries in recent years.
Favorite Beef Days Memory: When their kids and extended family surprised them for their 25th wedding anniversary by building a float and riding in the Beef Days parade. They were coming down the street past their home on Dubuque St. and couldn’t believe it was really them! They stopped and climbed upon the hayrack and rode together the rest of the parade route. Steve and Shirley still have the T-shirts made for the occasion!