It's tacky, it's silly, and at times it is downright goofy. But we had a terrific time with our friends at the Salt Lake City Santa Claus Pub Crawl. It was our second time to attend, and some of our more twisted friends were persuaded to join the festivities. We skipped the first pub, and also missed the stroll through the mall. We started at Murphy's, arriving early enough to actually get a drink. While at Murphy's, Mayor Rocky Anderson stopped by, but thought better of coming in for a drink with about 120 Santas chanting, "Rocky, Rocky, Rocky." He did stand on the sidewalk out front and get his picture taken with any Santa who wanted to memorialize the moment.
One of the highlights of the Santa Pub Crawl is the parade of Santas from bar to bar. Along the way, the Santas have been known to take a detour through eating establishments, particularly Bambara, just because. With those driving by honking their horns and all the Santas "full of cheer" and yelling, "HO, HO, HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS," it is a noisy minor spectacle.
After Yabuts, we paraded over to the Dead Goat. Some particularly bad Karaoke sent us fleeing to the basement where an excellent R&B band was playing. We never bothered to sit down, heading straight to the dance floor to indulge in some Santa boogie. Dancing in disguise is a very liberating experience!
Here are some photos, click to see the enlargements. The Santa Pub Crawl is always the Friday before Christmas, so mark your calendars for December 19, 2003 and buy your Santa suit at the after Christmas sales.
Anticipation
Dancer and Mrs. Christine Claus
Santa Dean and Rudolph
Santas Michael and Laura
Santa Monty, Steve, Mrs. Anne Claus, Mrs. Liz Claus, and Santa Dean
Crowd shot
Santa Steve and Mrs. Liz Claus, founders of the SLC Santa Crawl
Crowd shot
Two Santas
Santa, Santa, Santa, and Santa
Some lame hat Santas. You do not want to be a lame hat Santa.
Crowd shot
Mrs. Anne Claus
Santas getting ready to move.
Santas and some Santa helpers.
Mayor Anderson
Santas on the move
Parade of Santas
Santas crossing the street.
Crowd at Yabuts
Santa hijinks
Dead Goat
Santa Monty, Mrs. Christine Claus, and Denise the Red Nose Reindeer
Dancer Karen talking to Santa
Dancer Karen, Santa Jack and two strange people (not strangers,Santas Laura and Michael).
It was as good as it looks.
Santa Monty and Mrs. Christine Claus.
Somebody's Mommy is kissing Santa Steve.
On the dance floor with Santas and Mrs. Liz Claus
O'Shucks, Parade through the Mall, and the visit to Temple Square.
