(La Porte, IN) - This year’s La Porte County Fair Queen was in this year’s Santa Parade, which drew a good-sized crowd.

Raeann Grusak of Union Mills threw candy and waved to the crowd from the back seat. She said it was great to have the parade back to normal this year.

Last year, the units in the parade were parked on State Street for people to drive by and look at because of COVID-19 restrictions.

“It’s super exciting to get the community back to life again,” Grusak said.

Grusak came to the Santa Parade while growing up, and being in the parade as the La Porte County Fair Queen was a much different experience.

“I’m kind of the person they get to look up to as I’m throwing them candy,” she said.

Grusak is a student at Valparaiso University majoring in communication. She has her eyes set on becoming a journalist.