Want to win VIP passes to the Santa Pub Crawl? Leave your...
The Santa Pub Crawl, the massive annual can't-be-missed holiday extravaganza, began as a little shindig to encourage some adult fun in the midst of holiday stress. Seven years later, organizers have donated more than $14,000 to local charities, and continues to grow.
"Between year two and year four, we went from 200 people to 600 people," organizer Jason Kiesau said. "It was just me and two other people trying to organize the chaos, but people came back the next year. It just keeps getting bigger."
Last year, the event topped 1,000 people - and that's a lot of reindeer, sexy elves, Santas and candy stripers. So many that the event now requires about 20 buses to transport everyone to the 10 participating bars.
In lieu of the Carrie Underwood concert the same night, organizers sent out a survey asking people if they wanted the pub crawl switched to a different date. An overwhelming number said no.
"People from all over the state come to this," Kiesau said. "People make plans for it to be the first Saturday of December and invite friends and family from out of town way in advance."
Last year we spotted snowmen, holiday-themed footie pajamas, the Three Wise Men, angels, presents and even characters from "Christmas Vacation." Nobbies is working with the pub crawl to offer discounts on holiday costumes (go to desmoines pubcrawl.com for the coupon).
You also have a little time left to sign up to be a "Bus Captain." That means you don't have to pay the registration fee, but you do get to carry a whistle (!) and help round people up when it's time to move on to a new bar.
During registration at Uncle Buck's, get your photo taken for the costume contest and nosh on free pizza and beer until the buses leave at 7:30 p.m. Throughout the night, buy raffle tickets for gift cards to area bars and restaurants to further benefit Mentor Iowa, Young Variety and Toys for Tots.
"I can't wait to see how much money we'll raise this year, once it's all said and done," Kiesau said. "It's a competitive thing. We're the only group that's organized an event like this, that's this big. I can't wait to see the number get over $20,000."
Santa Pub Crawl
When: Saturday
Registration: 5-7 p.m. at Uncle Buck’s, 1720 25th St., West Des Moines
Cost: $25 regular or $35 VIP in advance, or $30 regular and $40 VIP on the night of the event. (VIP buses are party buses — not school buses — that allow drinking on board)
Bars: Miss Kitty’s, Cabaret West Glen, Mickey’s Irish Pub (Clive), Wellman’s Rooftop, Bombay Bicycle Club, Liars Club, People’s Court, Sinners and Saints, Heroes and Blue Moon.
Specials: $2 Miller Lite and Coors Light draws, $2.50 Miller Lite and Coors Light bottles, $3 calls and $5 Jager bombs.
Benefits: Young Variety, Mentor Iowa and Toys for Tots.
