By Marnee Benson
Photo courtesy of Matt Goedert

Winter partiers hit the streets in honor of Old Saint Nick.

In December 2001, Matt Goedert was working long, stressful hours at a San Francisco law firm when he had his secretary call for some Santa suits. He showed up in Reno a few days later with seven furry costumes and a diabolical plan. He would coerce six of his friends to dress up with him and spend all night bar-hopping downtown.

“People reacted so well,” Goedert recalls. “Everyone smiled and greeted us. It was a universal response.” Well, practically universal.

“We learned pretty quick, after we accidentally split up, that many Santas are joyful, but one Santa by himself at a bar is just creepy.” Because they — and the public-at-large — had so much fun that first year, Goedert and company decided to make the pub crawl an annual event. The original group of seven, including co-founder Tommy Keefhaver, invited other friends along, and the red-and-white clad crowd grew to 30. By 2005, there was a Web site dedicated to the event and more than 400 jolly celebrants roaming the streets of Reno from sundown on Dec. 17 to sunup on Dec. 18.

Goedert says that 2005 was a watershed year for the event. Most of the partygoers were heretofore unknown to the organizing committee; and the Santa Pub Crawl started showing up on Internet searches. Not only that, but last year it snowed on participants as they gathered happily at midnight under The Biggest Little City arch. Plus, the event raised money for a charitable cause. Doris Phelps, at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, reports a $3,000 donation from the pompom-topped group.

Most of the participant bars reportedly did quite well last year, too. “Santas spend a lot of money,” Goedert says.

And, according to the official Web site, they are encouraged to carry extra Santa hats and candy-canes to give away. The Santas also are encouraged to tip big, patronize all 22 bars, and always look out for each other. Under no circumstances is anyone allowed to drink and drive. “There are designated drivers and cabs everywhere,” Keefhaver says.

So what’s in store for 2006?

“More frivolity, cocktails, and holiday cheer,” Goedert says. “You should come!” To join the fun, mark your calendar for Dec. 16 and visit renosantacrawl.com for details. Marnee Benson is a freelance writer living in Reno.