(La Porte, IN) - The giant Santa Claus statue is up in downtown La Porte.  The 500 pound fiberglass man in the red suit has been a holiday fixture here since 1968.

Jessica Granger, owner of Thode Floral at 610 Lincolnway, remembers seeing the Santa statue as a child on trips from Fish Lake, where she grew up.  “As soon as the Santa statue goes up, it’s just a lot easier to get into the Christmas spirit,” she said.  Granger said the 18 foot tall Santa could play an even more important role in lifting spirits this year because of the challenges posed by coronavirus. 

The Santa Claus statue is held up by eight foot long cables fastened to stakes on the courthouse lawn.