Santa Claus made a grand entrance on Saturday, November 30, at Crown Point’s annual Santa Parade, a cherished holiday tradition that brought families together from across the region.
Santa arrived at Pointe Plaza, 1900 N. Main St., by helicopter, courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Families lined the sidelines of the plaza parking lot, cheering as Santa landed just yards away. Excitement filled the air as he greeted the crowd with high-fives, hugs, and selfies.
Following his grand arrival, Santa and Mrs. Claus boarded a horse-drawn carriage for a 0.7-mile journey to the historic Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point Square. Escorted by Lake County fire, EMS, EMA, and police vehicles, the festive procession delighted families eagerly awaiting their arrival.
Inside the courthouse, Santa and Mrs. Claus welcomed children in a setting dressed with Christmas decorations, a sparkling tree, and Santa’s iconic chair. Children shared their Christmas wishes while families captured memorable photos. Santa will continue to meet with families at the courthouse every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. through Christmas Eve.
“This parade is such a beautiful way to bring the community together and celebrate the holiday season,” said Diana Bosse, Crown Point’s special events director. “My favorite part is seeing all the kids. They really love it and get into the Christmas spirit. Everybody seems to enjoy it and appreciates what the city does to bring Santa to town.”
Adding to the festivities, the Crown Point Lions Club and Rotary Club partnered for the first time to serve free hot chocolate to attendees.
“The Rotary Club does service projects to give back to the community, as do the Lions,” said Kate Lodovisi, president of the Crown Point Rotary Club. “Carla Smolek, president of the Lions Club, approached me about partnering on different initiatives for the city. This is our first event together, and we’re hoping to do several more throughout the year. Coming together for the holiday season is what it’s all about.”
The collaboration was well-received by attendees.
“Little kids love the hot chocolate, and the adults do too- it’s so cold outside,” Lodovisi added.
Smolek shared the value of working together.
“I wanted to show everyone that we can serve our community better when we collaborate,” she said. “We both focus on giving back, and this is just one way to spread holiday cheer.”
Both clubs are active in additional service projects during the holidays. The Lions Club helps distribute food baskets to those in need and will host its annual Christmas party on Thursday, where attendees will bring toys for Toys for Tots. The Rotary Club recently organized a mobile food market at the fairgrounds with the support of Franciscan Health, providing meals for families facing food insecurity.
“Food insecurity is a significant issue, especially during the holidays,” Lodovisi said. “Many people don’t have access to basic meals for Thanksgiving—things we often take for granted. This is something Rotary is committed to addressing.”
The partnership between the Lions Club and Rotary Club at the Santa Parade is just the beginning of a shared mission to support the Crown Point community throughout the year.
As the Santa Parade concluded, families and community members were left with a sense of holiday spirit, marking the start of the festive season in Crown Point. With Santa and Mrs. Claus scheduled to continue greeting families at the courthouse in the coming weeks, and community organizations engaging in charitable initiatives, the parade highlighted the importance of tradition, community involvement, and shared holiday celebrations. This longstanding event remains a valued part of Crown Point's seasonal activities, bringing residents and visitors together year after year.
To see more events hosted by The City of Crown Point this winter, visit crownpoint.in.