Humans of Downey - Mike

"I think that enjoying music connects me to everyone else. I am a huge fan of music. I'm what some people call a metal head. I'm very into the old school rock-n-roll, old school heavy metal—Metalica, Motor Head, Iron Maiden, and stuff like that. Led Zeppelin is my all-time favorite band. That is basically a brotherhood. You can go to a metal concert or old rock-n-roll concert and as soon as you get there you feel a sense of comradery. Music speaks to each of us in our own way.

"The person that has helped me become the unique person I am today is Kelley [Humans of Downey - Kelley]. I first came down to help with the float when I was 18 years old. I didn't know anything that was useful to build a float, but the first day Kelley asked me, 'Hey, do you know how to weld?' I told him no and then he asked me if I wanted to learn because we need help. I said yes. So, he taught me how to weld and from there my skills progressed. Then Kelley got me a job at Knott's Berry Farm as a ride maintenance mechanic. It's because of Kelley that I have the job I have now and the skills I now know. I am the person I am today because someone saw potential in me, taught me a skill, and gave me a chance and because I made a choice to make the most of it."

~ Mike


PS Mike is standing next to the small doorway that he has to crawl through to get to his position to drive the Downey Rose Parade float during the parade. He is lying on his stomach for the whole trip. See Lots of leg room, no view.