Roaming band of well-wishers take to downtown Brainerd streets

122421.N.BD.BrainerdFlashmob1.jpg — A roaming band of well wishers cross Front Street on the way to wish motorists on Washington Street a safe and happy holiday Thursday, Dec. 23.. 2021, in Brainerd. Meta Mandich, left, Izzi Badeaux, Ruth Ann Veith, Sheila DeChantal, Kaydi Johnson and Amy Price move through downtown Brainerd singing Christmas songs and performing flash mob stunts for the townspeople. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch

By Steven L. Kohls

December 23, 2021 at 7:50 PM

A roaming band of well-wishers cross Front Street on the way to wish motorists on Washington Street a safe and happy holiday Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Brainerd. Meta Mandich, left, Izzi Badeaux, Ruth Ann Veith, Sheila DeChantal, Kaydi Johnson and Amy Price move through downtown Brainerd singing Christmas songs and performing flash mob stunts for the townspeople.

1/3: A group of well-wishers gathered at South Sixth and Washington streets to spread the holiday cheer. Mayor Dave Badeaux as Santa, left, and a troupe containing Sheila DeChantal, Amy Price, Ruth Ann Veith, Lisa Jordan and others sing and dance to motorists as they pass Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Brainerd. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch

2/3: Lisa Jordan emerges from a flash mob tunnel in downtown Brainerd Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch

3/3: Sheila DeChantal dances with a troupe of well-wishers as they roam Brained spreading holiday cheer Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch

By Steven L. Kohls

I was raised on a farm in western Minnesota where I participated in 4-H, high school sports, and everything that farm kids do for fun after chores. Graduated from Ridgewater Community College with an AA degree and my first taste of newspapering. I worked a summer on the Ortonville Independent as a reporter and photographer.

Roaming band of well-wishers take to downtown Brainerd streets

Sheil DeChantal organized a group of singers and dangers from the community to roam the streets of Brainerd Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, wishing everyone a happy holiday.