The 2012 Richmond SantaCon
has not yet been planned

12/6 UPDATE: Alrighty folks, this is shaping up to be a blast!!! Some important Updates below, including Venue/Schedule updates, a Pre-Party Announcement, a Special Beer Announcement, and Parking Information -


VENUE/SCHEDULE UPDATE -

A big thank you to Steve from Brown Distributing in speaking to the venues and helping to get this worked out. This year, we're making a change from our frolicking in Shockoe Bottom, and will instead be spreading our cheer through the Museum District. The following bars are expecting us -


Caliente - 2922 Park Avenue, Richmond, VA - around 7:00 pm

Commercial Taphouse - 111 N Robinson St, Richmond, VA - arriving about 9-9:30 pm

The Fanhouse - 2526 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA - arriving about 11:00 pm


Please keep in mind, however, that there will be a lot of people, and we'll be pretty free-form. There's nothing wrong with hanging back to get a meal - all of these places have great food - or even venturing off the beaten path to another venue. There are several very cool places along the path from Caliente to Commercial Taphouse, which is about an 8-block, 5-10 minute walk - Bandito's, Whisky Grill, Buddy's, Curbside Cafe, Racine to name a few. And there's also Starlite and 3 Monkeys just a block away from Commercial Taphouse and the Fan House. Only the three I'm listing are expecting us, but anywhere is fair game, especially if you are reasonable and patient. If 50 of us show up at a random bar expecting to get a beer, we're going to be sadly disappointed. But you can always pop out of the group to stop somewhere, and catch up at the next place.


PRE-PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT -

Also, if a mere 6-ish hours of merriment aren't enough, we'll be making a pre-party appearance at Hardywood Park Brewery, where they are having their Grand Illumination event. This will be completely informal, but is a great chance to support a local brewery. If you come out, look for Santa outfits, or just have a good time and spread good cheer throughout the event.


SPECIAL BEER ANNOUNCEMENT -

Thanks to Brown, there will be firkins from the following breweries -

- Heavy Seas Pale Ale (fresh hopped with Cascade hops, figs, and cedar)

- Legend - Pale Ale

- Devil's Backbone - TBD

Also, all three venues are known for their craft beer lists.


PARKING INFORMATION -

Parking in the Museum District/Fan area is a well-known pain in the a$$.... I don't have any sure-fire perfect answers, but here are some suggestions -

1. Carpool to reduce the number of cars you have to park. Also improves your odds of having a designated driver.

2. Even better, take a cab or the Big Green Bus to the area, and eliminate parking/driving altogether.

3. If you do drive, here are some parking lots that may have spots, and may not object to nighttime parking. CHECK SIGNS BEFORE PARKING THERE, as I have not verified with any of these that parking is "OK". Sorry, I can't afford to pay your towing bill, so I'm not assuming any liability here, but try these locations at your own risk -
The Branch House - On Robinson between Monument and Park. About three blocks from Caliente Virginia Historical Society - on Boulevard between Kensington and Stuart St. Benedict's church - on Belmont between Stuart and Hanover If you're willing to walk a few extra blocks - Carytown parking lots and decks off of Sheppard St and Colonial Ave are also options. And if all else fails, there always is some street parking, it may just take a little bit of time to find.

Santacon has been a huge success in the past, and this year should be no exception. See the reviews and pictures from last year's event for evidence of the fun!

**This will be a joint event with the Richmond Nightlife and 30s/40s+ Singles Meetup Groups**

What's Santacon you ask? It's a nationwide phenomenon. Check out the website for more info.

Basically, we all dress up in Santa/Elf gear, and go running around downtown Richmond spreading good cheer and having fun!!! Some people bring goodies to hand out, others just come along for the frivolity.

Here are a few rules (actually some are more like guidelines) -

1. Be Jolly. This event is a whole lot of fun, and the idea is to spread the mirth and merriment around Richmond.

2. You must be in costume. We'll forgive ya if all you can get is a Santa hat, but would certainly rather see some creative costumes. One year, there was 14' Gorilla in a Santa suit.

3. This is an adult event. There will be drinking. Drinking is encouraged, although not required. Being a d@##hebag will not be permitted. Our goal is to spread mirth and merriment, not make people angry or get arrested.

4. PLEASE, be reasonable with these venues. We will likely have 50-75 people this year. It's hard to find several bars big enough for that many people to come to, and within walking distance, especially for one big 2 hour pop, then leave.

5. There's about 8 blocks between Caliente and Commercial Taphouse, so there is walking involved. Parking in the area is not ideal, so you may need to find somewhere a few blocks away to park.


Come out and have fun! We're looking forward to what will likely be our biggest year yet!!!

Official link through the Meetup.com Richmond Nightlife group - www.meetup.com/RichmondNightlife/events/37774502

11/29 UPDATE: The venues have been tentatively set. Brown distributing has been a great help with this, and is getting us some firkins of some specialty beverages for the event. This year, we're making a change from our frolicking in Shockoe Bottom, and will instead be spreading our cheer through the Museum District. The plan, as of now, is to hit the following bars -

Caliente
Bandito's
Commercial Taphouse
The Fanhouse

More info, including a firmer timeline, will follow. Please keep in mind, however, that there will be a lot of people, and we'll be pretty free-form. There's nothing wrong with hanging back to get a meal - all of these places have great food - or even venturing off the beaten path to another venue. You can always catch up at the next place.

2011 Date has been set - December 10, 2011!!! Looking forward to the third year of this event in Richmond!