(La Porte, IN) - The Santa Parade took place in La Porte late Saturday afternoon and it was possibly the best Santa Parade in recent memory. The parade featured a new route this year and turnout was heavy along State Street, Michigan Avenue, a short stretch of Lincolnway, and through the end of the parade route concluding at Plaza 618 at Lincolnway and Monroe Street.
Also new was a choir, “The La Porte Singing Company,” singing Christmas carols before the inaugural tree lighting ceremony.
Mayor Tom Dermody and Santa Claus led the large crowd in a countdown to the lights on the tree being lit while a long line of people waited for their children to visit with Santa Claus inside his chalet.
The weather was also ideal with temperatures in the 40’s along with sunny skies.
Brett Binversie, the city’s Events and Civic Coordinator, said the turnout in response to the changes this year exceeded his expectations.
“Look at this crowd. I could not be happier with what we have going on,” he said.
Also new this year were nearby food and beverage vendors under the lights on Monroe Street north of Lincolnway. Binversie said the vendors will likely be moved to or beside Plaza 618 next year.
Dermody was also thrilled at he called a “fantastic turnout."
"I’m just excited to be a part of it. I think it’s the largest crowd that I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Among the people in the parade were Mike Sommers operating a 1940’s International tractor. Sommers, who lives near Westville, was behind the wheel of a 1940’s International Harvester Farmall model tractor and State Senator Mike Bohacek drove an old fire truck he purchased from the Michiana Shores Volunteer Fire Department a couple of years ago.
“You always wanted to have a fire truck when you were a kid, right? Now, I have one,” he said.
The parade has traditionally ventured mostly down Lincolnway, but safety concerns from rolling stops at traffic lights on the four lane highway was cited for moving the route to a much less congested two lane thoroughfare.