Click here to see more photos from the 2014 Santa Parade and Kris Kringle Blitz!
The Christmas spirit was in the air at the 2014 Santa Parade and Kris Kringle Blitz held in downtown LaPorte on Saturday morning. This parade has become a tradition of the town, bringing the community a holiday parade and a visit with Santa to head into the Christmas season.
This year, the event held a one mile Kris Kringle Blitz through downtown. Participants dressed up in all sorts of Christmas costumes to run/walk the race.
“This is the first year of the Kris Kringle Blitz portion of the parade. With how many years the parade has been going on, it definitely has been embraced by the community. It has become a tradition. The other great thing about it is that it happens to fall on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, so a lot of La Porte natives that have maybe moved away, come back to visit family and embrace this as a tradition,” Downtown Coordinator, Thaddeus Cutler said.
Participants of the race were competing for 1st place in the Kris Kringle Blitz, Best Costume Adult/Child, and Best Group costume Adult/Child. From Santa costumes to wrapped presents, everyone was dressed up and ready for the race.
“This event is good for everyone around the community because everybody can get out and meet new people and be involved with all the things that are going on,” Race Participant, Angie Mckie said.
The winner of the Kris Kringle Blitz was New Prairie Middle School Cross County runner, Josh Baltes, who enjoyed the morning run with his mother.
“The race is a way to get people excited right before the parade. It’s a great event because it gets people downtown and in the area to know whats going on, plus it gets everyone in the Christmas sprit. It is really a way for us to give back to the community and support everything that is going on,” Director of Marketing for the Chamber, Ashley Hawkins said.
Following the race, the Santa Parade went into full swing with dozens of floats marching down Lincolnway. Santa himself brought up the rear riding on a La Porte County Fire Truck.
“The floats were great! A lot of great stuff on the floats, boys and girls marching, horses, we had everything in the parade. It was a great parade!” Santa said.
After Santa made his grand entrance, children lined up to visit with him at his chalet and drop off toys to donate to La Porte County Toys for Tots.
Thanks to the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce and contributing organizations, the tradition of the Santa Parade, as well as the new Kris Kringle Blitz helped the community of La Porte get in the spirit for the Holiday season.