Poison Waters - headliner and hostess at Darcelle XV Showplace since the early 1990’s - is the 2023 CareOregon Starlight Parade Grand Marshal. Waters, AKA Kevin Cook, one of Portland’s most popular and well known drag performers, has been a community activist since 1988, and reacted to the invitation by saying, “moving to Portland as a child in 1979 when money was all but nonexistent, and trying to figure out who I would become, was super scary. The Portland Rose Festival brought me such joy! Being in marching band allowed me to participate in the Fred Meyer Junior Parade, the Starlight Parade and the Grand Floral Parade, and I have such fond memories of being a part of something so fabulous! Thank you for choosing me to be this year’s Grand Marshal for the CareOregon Starlight Parade! I CAN’T WAIT!”