Lori Hunt, of Calhoun, can be typically seen in her role as the administrative assistant at the McLean County Attorney’s office, where she’s been employed for about 20 years.
But during the holiday season, she is found sporting one of her many character costumes in different parades throughout the area.
It all started from a family tradition with Hunt’s grandmother, Judy Keplinger Donahoo, and Donahoo’s sister, Anita Keplinger Ray.
“(My grandmother) made the heads and her sister … made the bodies,” Hunt, 54, said. “When my grandmother would make the heads, they were papier-mâché back then.
“…When I was little, my job was cutting up newspaper and (my grandmother) would make the paste, and I would sit on the floor and watch TV and do the papier-mâché on a big balloon.”
And just when Hunt thought she was finished with the task, her grandmother would say “it needs another layer,” and would have to do the process all over again.
The inspiration for the characters her grandmother would create, Hunt said, came from cartoons and comic books — such as Bugs Bunny and The Pink Panther.
“She had Snoopy, which Snoopy was my favorite,” Hunt said. “…I wore Snoopy out. I think she had to make a second costume to replace that one.”
Hunt said they would end up traveling throughout the area…