(La Porte, IN) - Vehicles in La Porte were backed up for a half mile Saturday to drive by a half dozen parade units parked along the curb and visit with Santa Claus behind plexiglass.  The line of vehicles on State Street stretching down Jackson Street and onto Lincolnway was just as long more than one hour later.

 

People kept showing up for a taste of Christmas spirit even at a social distance.  "I knew we were going to have a lot of people but this is definitely overwhelming," said Lindsey Jongkind, Director of Marking for the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP).

 

To provide a sense of normalcy during the pandemic, LEAP opted for a socially distanced version of the annual Santa Parade which typically has five times as many units traveling  eastbound on Lincolnway.

 

Children were greeted with smiles and handed candy through car windows by people in holiday costumes wearing masks.  Snow flakes made from soap by a machine 15 feet above the ground close to the end of the route added to the festivities. 

 

Many paradegoers like Kayte Gardner of La Porte and her five children seemed to appreciate the event and enjoy it practically just as much. "We still get to see Santa.  Otherwise, we wouldn't have gotten to see anybody," said she.   Actually, I like it.  It's nice for the kids.  It really is," said Kristen Nunez, who brought her 7-year old Karter also of La Porte.

 

People only climbed out of their vehicles after pulling up for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the old train depot on Washington Street.  Santa and Mrs. Claus were inside a chalet waving to the children and posing for pictures behind a sheet of plexiglass covering the front entranceway.  The conversations were kept short because it was hard to hear from behind the see through barrier.  Wish lists were placed into the slot of Santa's mail box on the front steps of his chalet.

 

Tammy Bealor and her grandchildren of La Porte were in their vehicle for more than one hour before the line reached Santa Claus.  "I had some excited kids wanting to see Santa so it's worth it," she said. 

 

La Porte mayor Tom Dermody and his wife, Jackie, waved and shouted "Merry Christmas" to the crowd from the elevated bucket of a fire truck.  "I can't believe how many people are here.  The line goes on forever," Mrs. Dermody said.