Running of the Santas

The Running of the Santas is an annual holiday celebration in the U.S. city of Philadelphia where hundreds of pub crawlers dress as Santa Claus. Started in 1998, the event's popularity has grown exponentially, as three dozen original Santas boomed to hundreds by the mid 2000's. The event draws largely from Rutgers University staff and alumni, as well as Sea Isle City patrons, where some of the founding members once worked.Fact|date=November 2007

Background

The first Running of the Santas took place on December 23, 1998. More than forty Santas arrived at Pitcher's Pub in Manayunk and "crawled" from pub to pub along Main Street. In 2002 The Running of the Santas relocated to South Street. By 2003, the Run amassed thousands of participants.

Thousands of Santas participated by 2006, when The Running moved to 3rd and Spring Garden streets. Corporate sponsors were (and continue to be) promoted through The Running's website, with special promotions offered to those dressed appropriately for the event. Sponsoring pubs provide tented parking lots to accommodate participants. Shuttle buses have also been chartered from some areas to reduce drunk driving and traffic congestion. It 2007, an estimated 5,000 santas participated in Philly.

Event organizers have since launched other local events including The Running of the Micks for St. Patrick's Day and Sea Isle Spring Fling, a welcome to spring time in Sea Isle City, NJ. A mid-summer competition between North and South Jersey shores, entitled Rudolphs Revenge, is held in Dewey Beach, DE and a Halloween Party entitled Monster Mash Bash was added.

The 2008 Running of the Santas will be December 13th across 25 cities (US and International). [ [http://www.runningofthesantas.com The Running of the Santas - official Web Site] ]

In 2007, Running of the Santas events were sponsored in the following additional cities: Boston MA, Chicago, IL, Denver, CO, Indianapolis, IN, Key West, FL, Louisville, KY, Minneapolis, MN, Nashville, TN, Pittsburgh, PA, San Diego, CA, Washington DC, & Ashburton, New Zealand. [ [http://www.Myspace.com/RunningoftheSantas MySpace.com - Running of the Santas - December 13th! - 100 - Garçon - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - www.myspace.com/runningofthesantas ] ]

Criticism

The Running of the Santas is sometimes criticized by the Cacophony Society as an attempt to commercialize their event SantaCon/Santarchy.Fact|date=February 2008 Santacon predates The Running, does not promote specific bars or costume sources, and does not charge its participants. Cacophonists view The Running of the Santas as little more than a promotional stunt for its sponsors.

ee also

* Christmas
* Christmas Eve
* Santa Claus parade
* Secularization of Christmas
* Secret Santa - a form of gift giving
* Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus
* Flying Santa - a northeastern US tradition of pilots delivering presents to families in remote lighthouses
* Santa Claus, Indiana - a small Midwestern U.S. town named after the legendary figure, and home to

External links

* [http://www.runningofthesantas.com The Running of the Santas - official Web Site]

References