With Christmas right around the corner cities across Northwest Indiana are getting into the holiday spirit - and La Porte is no different. On Saturday the city hosted events throughout the day to officially kick-off the full swing of holiday celebrations. With a Kris Kringle Blitz fun run, the annual Santa Parade, pictures with Santa in the historic chalet, and a tree lighting, La Porte was full of Christmas cheer. Citizens of La Porte and their extended families came out in droves to help commemorate all things Christmas.
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“I think Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, and it’s a great time to celebrate with our community. Events like this really bring everyone together and highlight our downtown, so we really love having something to help kick off the holiday season.” La Porte Mayor Blair Milo stated, who participated in the Kris Kringle Blitz and escorted Santa through the parade. “I’m one of those people who start celebrating Christmas in July, so I’m all ready to start the holidays here and be a part of the celebrations today. I know a lot of people look forward to the Santa Parade each year, and even though the Kris Kringle Blitz is a new addition to the events, it’s still great to see people come out and have fun with it.”
The jam-packed day started off with the city’s Kris Kringle Blitz - a one mile run through downtown La Porte. A fairly new addition to the festivities, the run called for their participants to dress in holiday themed costumes, which all of the runners took seriously. With the Grinch, Uncle Eddie, Santa’s elves, and gingerbread men among other characters all making an appearance the Blitz was a sight to behold. The biggest dedication to their costumes were the family of Drew Gesse that dressed up as people and things from ‘A Christmas Story’, full sized props and all. Gesse, who is the Director of Marketing for the La Porte Chamber of Commerce, said that he brought his family along to participate for the second year in a row and decided to take their costumes up a notch.
“I think this event iis such a great thing for the community, it brings a lot of fun to downtown, and we decided why not go all out for this.” Geese stated. “It’s a fun idea to kick off the holiday season with. It really brings the holiday spirit to La Porte, and we wanted to be a direct part of that.”
Soon after the Kris Kringle Blitz runners crossed the finish line, it was time for the long-running Santa Parade. The parade was full of various groups and organizations like the Girl Scouts, the La Porte County Family YMCA, kids from Hailmann Elementary, Anytime Fitness, Santa Claus himself and more. The event gathers hundreds of spectators to downtown, and is a holiday tradition for many. Travelling down Lincolnway and ending at the La Porte Chamber of Commerce, the parade sets the standard for holiday celebrations in the area. Brittney Daly, who traveled up from Avon, Indiana back to her family in La Porte, said that she has been watching each parade for the past 28 years and makes sure she still watches it each year.
“It’s a tradition for me and my family - to come downtown and watch the parade - and I’ve been watching it since I was probably only a year old.” Daly stated. “After all of those years I now make it a point to come with my kids, and my mom now gets to watch it with all of her grandkids. It’s always a good parade, and it’s nice now to be able to make it a tradition for my kids to see the parade at the same corner just like I’ve done.”
The day of celebration ended with families lining up to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Clause in the iconic chalet. La Porte is now ready for the holiday season, with a gorgeous tree lit and the downtown a welcome center for the season to come. Christmas has arrived, and if the responses to Saturday’s activities are any indication, the people of La Porte could not be more excited for the weeks to come.