Applications and sponsorships are now available for the 2012 Santa Parade in downtown La Porte held on November 24, 2012 at 12:00pm. The parade is free to participate in and all groups are welcome to participate. The parade runs through downtown and ends at Santa’s Chalet and Santa’s Village in the Chamber Square, 803 Washington Street.
Following the parade this year will be a private screening of the popular film Prancer inside the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation building, 809 Washington Street. Director John Hancock and local actor Ron Ehrick will be on-hand to discuss the history of the filming of Prancer in LaPorte County and surrounding areas. Also available will be the actual coats worn by actors such as Cloris Leachman and the young Rebecca Harrell.
After the parade, children may also visit with newly arrived Santa at his Chalet, enjoy Santa’s Village Winter Market, ride the toy train around the giant tree, and see the lighting at 4:30pm. Launching at the parade and going until Christmas, community members may pick up a form from the Chamber office to judge and vote for their favorite storefront for the holidays. The winning business will be announced after the holiday.
There will be a coloring contest, with entries available at the La Porte YMCA, the LaPorte County Public Library and the Chamber of Commerce, for children. The Coloring Contest submissions can be returned to those locations or the day of the parade. Children will be able to also color entries at the GLEDC building during the Prancer screening. The coloring contest will be judged in two categories, best coloring and most creative, for age groups 3-5 years, 6-8 years and 9 & 10 years. Winners will receive prizes and all entries will be sent to the troops overseas.
Attendees of the parade may also bring new, wrapped toys for children in LaPorte County under foster care. Those donating should indicate whether the gift is for a boy or a girl and the age bracket intended. If people would like to donate but cannot attend the parade, gifts can also be dropped off at the Educational Service Center (ESC), the YMCA and the Santa Chalet from November 24 until December 22.
The Santa Parade is presented by the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce, the LaPorte Kiwanis Club and the LaPorte Family YMCA. For more information or questions regarding the Santa Parade, Santa’s Village, or the storefront judging, please call the Greater LaPorte Chamber at (219) 362-3178 or email bley@lpchamber.com.