By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
It’s time to tap into your inner Santa, or elf or maybe Scrooge or the Grinch or even Cindy Lou Who. The Santa Pub Crawl is returning to downtown Bowling Green.
On Saturday, Dec. 14 starting at 5 p.m., a cast of local characters in Christmas regalia will troop down a block and a half of North Main Street hitting four night spots along the way, all to benefit the U.S. Marine Reserves Toys for Tots campaign.
Brian Young, the organizer who brought the tradition from Dayton, said he’s hoping for twice the participants and twice the toys.
[RELATED: Holiday spirits and toys for tots come together for first ever BG Santa Pub Crawl Live]
The only requirements for joining are to bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at $20 and dress in a holiday garb. A Santa hat is the minimum but folks are encouraged to go further. “You have to wear something festive. We’re really pushing that this year.”
As an enticement, prizes for the best female character, male, character, couple, and group of three or more are being awarded. Young said local businesses have gotten in the spirit. Last year, prizes totaled $1,000 in value including swag and gift cards. This year there’s a golf bag.
The prize total now is $1,500, he said.
(screenshot from video by Dustin Galish)
Young said the Marines involvement is crucial. “Logistically, they do everything,” he said.
They bring the boxes, collect the gifts, hand out wristbands to participants, and distribute the toys.
They also judge the costume contest.
Young appreciates the help. Back in Dayton some years, he had to manage that himself.
Last year, he said, the event eventually attracted 100 crawlers with the group growing as they move along from bar to bar. He’s hoping to double that. Those who participated last year are advocates this year.
In Dayton, the first year Young, who was new to the city, had 18 crawlers. In the ninth year, there were 1,200. More of an invasion, he admitted.
These events take place around the country.
The first stop will be Doc’s Big City Saloon, where there will be pizza specials. The next stop at 6 will be Red Sky Pizza and Pints, which will also offer food specials.
At Downtown Sports Bar at 7 p.m., there will be beer specials and the costume contest judging.
In all three of these venues holiday music will play over the sound systems.
The crawl ends at Howard’s at 8 p.m. where AmpWagon will perform. There will also be a photo booth.
And photographers on hand to capture the action will be able to submit their images in a contest.
For those unable to participate in the crawl, four boxes have been set up at Pagliai’s Pizza, Arlyn’s Good Beer, Culver’s, and Brewing Green.
Another box has been requested, Young said. For the location and other Santa Crawl updates visit the event’s Facebook Page.
