Mikkelson spreads holiday cheer as Santa Parade grand marshal

CRESCO - As Cresco prepares for its annual Santa Parade on Friday, Nov. 25 at 4 p.m., who better to spread holiday cheer as grand marshal than Brady Mikkelson?

Brady is a familiar face to nearly everyone in town. Whether customers visit with him at his job at Fareway Grocery, or sports fans hear him on the radio, reporting Crestwood games with Joe Haskovec or see him in the stands cheering on the Cadets, Brady’s connection to Cresco and its residents is life-long.

Jason Passmore, executive director of the Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “It was a choice made by the Cresco Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and it came from an anonymous source, but once it was presented to the Board it was an easy, unanimous decision.  Brady brings Christmas joy to folks every day of the year and what a great way to honor that as grand marshal of a parade he loves.

“Brady is always ready for a hug and heart-warming smile whether you see him at Fareway, at a Crestwood sporting event, at school or the fitness center, or just riding around town. Being grand marshal is a small token of gratitude for the enormous joy he brings to the community.”

Brady’s father, John Mikkelson, said the Chamber Board of Directors came to Fareway to tell him the news.

“Ryan McCarville is a good friend of Brady’s and told him about (the honor) directly,” John said.

He added, ‘The community has been fantastic to Brady for his whole life. We lost Brady’s mother (Sandy Mikkelson) 26 years ago, and she would be amazed at how the community has adopted Brady.”

For his part, Brady said he has been involved in parades like Sweet Corn Days in Lime Springs with Bryan Sheehy, and has witnessed many parades over the years, but never as a grand marshal. 

“Thank you, Cresco,” Brady says to the community that has and continues to support him.

Brady’s sister, Tara Soesbe, said, “When I heard from our dad that Brady was going to be grand marshal, I cried happy tears. The way Cresco has embraced Brady for the true light and joy he (embodies) is truly incredible. Brady’s life is so full because of this community and we will be forever grateful. We hope everyone is ready for his smile and laugh up and down the parade route.”