Community Helps Santa Carry On

The well-known light display of Santa and his reindeer on the National City Bank building has seen its fair share of ups and downs. But this year several businesses from the community are working together to ensure the Santa display carries on and is better than ever.

The English, Bonter, Mitchell Foundation has assumed responsibility for the preservation of the display and is providing a grant to fund the replacement of Santa’s 24,717 incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs. The new LED bulbs will prove to be more energy-efficient by using 90 percent less power while at the same time providing a brighter display. While the old bulbs lasted 2,000 hours, the new LED bulbs are expected to last around 80,000 hours, which translates to 177 holiday seasons in optimum conditions. The new bulbs are also expected to fare better during assembly and disassembly of the display, with less breakage. The old bulbs will be turned into commemorative ornaments for sale to benefit local charities.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 305 and apprentices of Fort Wayne Electrical Joint Apprentice Traning Committee (JATC) are donating labor for the task of replacing the bulbs. Shambaugh and Son is assuming responsibility for ongoing maintenance of Santa and his reindeer, and will oversee the project. Martin Inc. handles the installation of the display and Do it Best Corp. donates storage space to house Santa. National City Bank will continue to host and sponsor Santa and his reindeer every year.

Some fun facts about Santa:

• Santa and his reindeer made its historical debut on the Wolf & Dessauer department store on Thanksgiving Eve, November 20, 1940.


• At that time, it was considered the second largest display of its kind in the country.


• In February 1959, Wolf & Dessauer moved to a new location and the Santa began 20 years in storage.


• A restored Santa was debuted on Thanksgiving Eve, November 27, 1980 on the Fort Wayne National Bank building.


• Santa and his reindeer are 155 feet long and weigh 5.5 tons.