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In selecting John Henrikson to be this year’s Ki-Chi-Saga Days Grand Marshal, the committee was immediately presented with a dilemma. Does John ride with the Let’s Go Fishing bunch on their pontoon, which is a group he is active with, or does he walk with the veterans representing the local legion post, which he is commander of, or does he claim a spot in the traditional convertible car reserved for Grand Marshal transport?  

The issue has been resolved by designating Let’s Go Fishing a lead unit, and giving Henrikson a seat in the pontoon, dressed in his military uniform.  He’s just pleased to just be able to follow in his dad Harland’s wake, who was featured in this paper in 1988 as Ki Chi Saga’s co-grand marshal with fellow firefighter Bud Greene. (Photo)

The Henrikson family tree has had roots in the Chisago Lakes Area for 100 years.  Henrikson graduated from Chisago City High School in 1965 and St Cloud in 1970.

John had a career teaching military systems and air traffic controls in his role in the early computer industry, and he served in the Vietnam conflict.  He returned here eventually to build a home on Chisago Lake and became a community asset.

He likes to joke that he is the “boat boy’ for the Let’s Go Fishing organization.  With a place on the lake he can keep the boat, clean it, stock it with snacks and water, and deliver it to where patrons can board safely. Let’s Go Fishing exists for scheduled cruises for area veterans, the disabled, and any deserving person or family looking for a few hours on the water.  The Henrikson lake home has been  a base of operations for several years and Let’s Go Fishing books outings four or five days a week. “It keeps me busy,” John adds. 

The Parade is Sunday, 2 p.m.

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