(A Really, Really Big) Santa Comes to Town

NEW LENOX, IL — Kids in New Lenox—and heck, for miles around—needn't worry about Santa Claus finding them this holiday season.

The Village of New Lenox this week unveiled a Santa Claus so big and bright, the Big Guy and his reindeer will be able to spot him from the sky.

A 36-foot tall Santa Claus, weighing over 5,000 pounds (that's a lot of "belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly), and including 18,500 LED lights, took its place in the Commons. He's quite literally the largest lighted Santa in all of the land—er, the United States. He's right smack in the middle of the lights hung throughout the Commons.

"We expect this will be a major draw from many communities," Mayor Tim Baldermann said. "Those people will spend money in our town, helping local businesses and off-setting our expenses through additional sales tax."

The cost for all decorations is an estimated $300,000 spread out over 3 years, Baldermann said, and the funds were pulled from the Village's pre-existing marketing budget, along with private donations. No new money was budgeted, and additional donations are expected, Baldermann said.

Santa will be the center of Christmas in the Commons, which will now encompass festivities throughout the month of December. The Village has even added ice skating in the Commons—in front of Village Hall—for approximately seven weeks. Events will begin December 4, with visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday performances, a coloring contest for children, horse-drawn wagon rides, and much more. The afternoon will end with the presentation of the Village's new holiday light display and official Christmas tree.

A full schedule of entertainment for the day along with complete details on our holiday lights and ice skating rink can be found by clicking here.

Check out a video of Santa being built, courtesy of New Lenox Community TV.