By ROBIN STANTON GERROW
BG Independent News
The Third Annual Santa Pub Crawl saw Scrooges and the Grinch, lots of holiday sweaters and quite a few elves who braved bad weather for a good cause.
Thanks to the generosity of Bowling Green residents and events like the Santa Pub Crawl, a bit more joy will be spread this year from Marine Corp Reserves’ Toys For Tots.
Brian Young, the organizer of the Santa Pub Crawl now in its third year, was part of a similar event in Dayton before bringing it to Bowling Green. Other committee members are Sean Brennan, Nolan Brennan and Liz Sworden.
“I had experienced how much fun it is and how meaningful it can be for children in need at Christmas,” Young said. “We started the first year with about 70 people, and it grew to around 140 last year. The weather may have kept some people away this time, but it was still a great turnout.”
Sgt. Christos Toromanides, from Toys For Tots, said this is the most stressful, but rewarding time of the year.
“I’ve been involved in Toys For Tots for more than a decade, and it been a very humbling experience,” he said. “We have been blessed that the Bowling Green community in general has upped their events and upped their toy donations. It’s great to see the community come together and have a fun night. It’s really grown since it started, and it’s one of our favorite events as Marines. I think it’s a direct correlation of why we’re able to provide an extra toy per child this Christmas, as well as to other nonprofit organizations like women’s shelters and homeless shelters for those who have children. Every toy counts.”
Revelers started at the Cla-Zel Theater before moving onto Doc’s Big City Saloon, the Downtown Sports Bar and finishing at Howard’s Club H, with entertainment by The Scottish Mile.
One of the highlights of the event is the costume contest, and Young said the creativity this year has increased the competition.
“It’s so fun to see what people come up with,” he said. “I’m amazed to see how much time and effort was put into some of the costumes.”
Winners this year were:
- Zach Tussing, Brian Tussing, Jack Hagemeyer and others as “Christmas Lights” for best group
- Maureen Barry, Monica Reynolds, Megan Barr and Selma Keener as “Snowball Fight” for runner up, best group
- Katie Stygles as Cindy Lou Who for best female
- Michaela Zaborniak as Krampus for runner up, best female
- Terry Leek as the “Polar Express” conductor for best male
- Jared Howansky as a stocking stuffer for runner up, best male
- Tom and Robin Gerrow as Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present for best couple
- Mary Dennis and Bob Midden as “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose” for runner up, best couple
