(La Porte, IN) - More than 200 people braved cold weather to see a live reindeer Monday night in LaPorte.

 

Cups of hot chocolate were served to the long line of parents, their children, and children at heart waiting to see the reindeer outside the public library at 904 Indiana Avenue in the city’s downtown.

 

The joy from petting one of the major symbols of Christmas was evident in the smiles and eyes of people, who also were allowed to have their pictures taken with the animal they had never actually seen outside of seasonal touchstones ike “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

 

“It’s awesome, man. The kids had a good time. It’s amazing,” remarked Anthony Munoz, who made the 20-minute trip with his daughter Gisele, 7, and sons Maddox, 6, and Maverick, 5, from their home in Trail Creek.

 

Tori Cimbaljevich of La Porte held her chubby-cheeked infant son, Noah, as he reached down innocently to pet the reindeer in his Santa Claus outfit. She also brought her three-year-old daughter, Mabel.

 

“It was awesome. My daughter was really excited,” she said.

 

The seven-year-old female reindeer, “Bell,” belongs to the Silly Safari organization.

 

The animal advocacy group, based near Indianapolis, also travels to surrounding states like Michigan and Kentucky to show the public not just the reindeer, but other exotic animals throughout the year.

 

Aiden Potter, who’s with the organization, held the sometimes restless reindeer while seated in a chair for the public to approach and enjoy. He said the mission of the group is to protect animals by showing them, especially to children.

 

“We really want to enrich the youth and make them fall in love with animals. That’s where you really make the difference with conservation. If you can get the new generation to fall in love with animals they’ll want to keep them protected,” he said.

 

Debbie Reynolds of LaPorte said she came because she likes special events and keeps her aging, but still cheerful heart wide open for Christmas.

 

“I loved it. So soft. I didn’t realize just how soft they are,” she said.

 

The people showing up for the event also learned a thing or two about the species.  For example, Potter said, male and female reindeer have antlers, unlike traditional deer whose antlers emerge only in bucks.

 

Kateri Krueger, who came with her two-year-old daughter, Mallory, and her fiancée, Joshua Marshall, said she was mostly surprised by how the reindeer did not look anything like she expected.

 

“I think you kind of expect them to look how they do in the movies. They’re still cute,” she said.