Why Giant Inflatable Santas Have Overtaken Monroe Street

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on Monroe Street.

Approaching the street is almost menacing. Matching 12-foot inflatable Santas stand guard in the front yards of more than a dozen homes stretching down the street. The ominous, yet jolly scene has captured the attention of Madisonians throughout the isthmus.

Monroe Street residents Evan Jonovic-Heath and Amanda DeVoss told WKOW the idea formed last year while they were watching Hallmark Christmas movies with some neighbors and it took off from there.

Last year, there were five inflatables in the neighborhood. This year, that number has tripled. With more being added each day, it's hard to keep up with the current Santa count, but it’s easy to see this is a new tradition the neighborhood has embraced wholeheartedly.

"I think it's clear that we love Christmas and so it's been so fun to have something both that is a new tradition for us in my family, but also growing with the neighbors to have an ongoing tradition that maybe people will want to come year over year and join us," Jonovic-Heath said.

In addition to Santas, some residents have set up inflatable reindeer and polar bears; One resident put up an inflatable dragon, while another opted for a T. rex (who may or may not be eating Santa).

"We have a number of families in our community that don't celebrate Christmas and they've joined in ways that work for their family," Jonovic-Heath said. "So one neighbor up the street put up a giant polar bear that he thought was perfect for his family to join in the fun, but also be authentic to who they are."

Neighbors say the inflatables have received overwhelmingly positive reactions from the community. If you want to get in on the fun, there’s still time to get a Santa for your home.