PRESCOTT – Kris Sampson’s first reaction to being named the 2026 Prescott Daze grand marshal was one of disbelief. Chamber Coordinator Trisha Huber informed her of the nomination at her Croix Insurance office.

“There’s so many people that should be before me,” Sampson said. “I am really truly so thankful and grateful to be nominated. It’s really a gift. When I think of Roy Finley, Mike Ptacek, the past mayors…I haven’t done even close to what many of them have done or continue to do. It’s very cool and I’m very humbled.”

Sampson will lead the Prescott Daze grand parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. This year’s celebration theme is “Survivor,” after the popular reality show that just completed its 50^th season.

Sampson and her family moved to Prescott when she was in second grade. Except for a few years in Hudson, Sampson has lived in the river town all her life. She loves the people, but said the river is a close second. She’s traveled extensively and seeing other places has made her appreciate Prescott more.

“The small town-ness of it and the closeness to the Metro; being part of the Great River Road is amazing,” she said.

The Prescott Chamber of Commerce announced Sampson as grand marshal on its Facebook page with the following statement:

“Kris is a true pillar of the Prescott community — a past Chamber President who has served on the board for many years and has poured her energy into countless Chamber events and projects along the way. For years she chaired the Prescott Daze Committee, all while also running the food booth herself. These days, she's hard at work on the Pierce County Economic Board, championing Prescott and helping get our community more involved than ever.”

Sampson has worked in insurance for decades; her mother Mavis Melstrom, who was grand marshal in 1996, started Croix Insurance.

“I love it and that’s why I got started in service in the community,” Sampson said. “My mom when she moved here, she worked at an insurance agency and got involved with Prescott Daze. My brother and I got sucked in.”

Sampson said she met many awesome people throughout the years while serving on various boards. She enjoyed helping groups out because she had the resources and connections made through her business to do it, whether it was providing tables and chairs for an event or working a food booth.

“I look back at those first Prescott Daze Committee meetings and now they’re lifelong friends,” she said.

She co-chaired the committee with Alderperson Diane House for many years, then Char Magee. She and Julie Hoffman worked in the Prescott Daze food booth, a role she retired from two years ago. She said the Riley girls, who took over running Prescott Daze, do an amazing job.

“It had gotten to be a well-oiled machine, and everyone just did their part. I wish more people would step up. Do a little part, something that you enjoy doing,” she said.

Prescott Daze has been a “third place” for Sampson. In sociology, third places are defined as anchors of community life, where people relax separately from home or work, where they can make new friends and see familiar faces.

“Third places have dwindled since Covid,” Sampson said. “It’s a great way to meet people. What’s your third place and what are you doing for the world? That’s what’s hard about accepting it (the grand marshal recognition). I never did any of it to get recognition.”

Besides the Prescott Daze Committee, Sampson has served as Prescott Chamber president twice. She has been on the Chamber Board and part of the Chamber Boosters; she served two terms on the Prescott Library Board and is back on it, helping to create the Friends of the Library. She was chair of the Prescott Foundation and has served on the Friends of Freedom Park Board, Prescott Hall of Fame Committee and the school parent groups (son Parker is now 25). She’s especially proud of how the parents’ groups expanded to the middle and high schools and how the group revitalized some key fundraisers.

“We were able to convince the schools to keep the momentum going,” she said. “It allows you to meet other parents and affect change. There’s many people I met that I would not have.”

Besides championing all things Prescott, Sampson is starting her eighth year as an elected Pierce County Board supervisor for District 1.

“I started in Covid, which made it hard to get to know people,” Sampson said. “It’s been an adventure.”

She currently serves on the Finance & Personnel, Fair & Ag Extension, Information & Technology and Tourism & Economic Development committees. She was also recently appointed to the Mississippi Parkway Commission. She is a vocal supporter of Pierce County tourism and recently attended the Wisconsin State Fair to bring more attention to Pierce County and the Great River Road as a travel destination.

She credits significant other, Howie, with putting up with her shenanigans and helping facilitate them. He also offers a voice of reason when she tries to take on too much.

“I couldn’t do it without him,” Sampson said.

She encourages everyone to give back and volunteer in some way.

“Just join,” she said. “If you think you have a talent that could help something, step up. Just do a little. Unless you want to lead it, then lead it. We need a lot of bodies to create these things. If you’ve ever enjoyed any of these events, put a little time in. Build a team.”

Prescott Daze takes place Sept. 10-13 and includes a car show, vendor market, parade, Chris Kroeze performance, Coulee Trails hikes and much, much more. A full schedule of events can be found at prescottdaze.com