Ed Asner at Manassas Christmas reception: ‘you can’t throw snowballs at me’

A reception was held Friday night in honor at Ed Asner, the longtime actor and political activist who will serve today as the Grand Marshal of the 70th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade.

Fans of Asner to include the city’s mayor and members of city council, the police and fire chiefs gathered inside the Manassas Museum at 5 p.m. for the catered affair. Asner, 86, was walked inside the museum gallery and was given a chair, and many people came up to him to have their photos taken, to take a “selfie” photo, and to tell him what big fans they are of his.

“This is a wonderful town…it’s charming…lovely, and the shops are quaint,” said Anser of Manassas.

“The people, well…” Asner continued joking manner.

Asner is primary known for his role on the Mary Tyler Moore Show which aired on the CBS-TV network in the 1970s. A spinoff show starring Asner, “Lou Grant” followed Mary Tyler Moore Show but was later canceled by the network.

Asner is known for his endorsement of Barak Obama for president in 2008, and for his longtime stances of socialized medicine. He told a crowd gathered on the museum lawn Friday night that he would return to the area [Washington, D.C.] to acquire [the president’s] office anyway possible, and that he would create a “peaceful” country for everyone to live in.

“All the kids will be freeloaders when I’m in office, so, kids, start loadin’ up,” said Asner.

“There’s no snow, so you can’t throw snowballs at me,” he also told the crowd.

Manassas City Councilman Ken Elston brought Asner to the city to be the Parade Grand Marshal. Elston is the Director of the School of Theatre at George Mason University and has worked with the actor, as well as other well-known talents who come to the university to teach students.

Elston also brought stage and film actor Stacy Keach to Manassas to serve as the 2012 Christmas Parade Grand Marshal. This is Elston’s 10th year announcing the parade from the reviewing stand at Harris Pavilion.

“This is the best time of year in the city, and the best event of the year in the city because there are so many people who come to visit, and I like to celebrate what brings to all together,” said Elston.

The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015.