2018 RUNNING OF THE SANTAS ANNOUNCES DATES AND ENTERTAINMENT
Discounted Registration Open Now for Costumed Christmastime Event on December 8
(New Orleans) – “Running of the Santas,” the annual pilgrimage of costumed revelers through the streets of downtown New Orleans, returns for its eighth year on Saturday, December 8, 2018 in the Warehouse District.
The holiday extravaganza, listed as one of the Top 50 events every New Orleanian should experience, kicks off with holiday food and specialty drinks from 3 to 6 p.m. at the “South Pole” located at Manning’s, at 519 Fulton Street. At 6 p.m., the crowd of Santas will begin the five-block “Fun Run” to the “North Pole” located at Generations Hall, at 310 Andrew Higgins Dr. followed by the city’s largest holiday costume contest at 8 p.m. Registration for the event opens at 11 a.m. on the day of the event at Manning’s, but registration is available now online.
New Orleans’ most vibrant holiday tradition calls for “runners” from all over the Gulf Coast to don their most creative Christmas attire for a chance to win the treasured “Best Holiday Costume” award. Event organizers are expecting more than 4,000 costumed participants this year donned as Santa, Mrs. Claus, Scrooge, Rudolph, Jingle Bells, Jack Frost, Old Man Winter and more. Last year’s “Running of the Santas” attracted thousands of revelers from across the Gulf Coast to the streets of downtown New Orleans to participate in the most unique and craziest Christmastime event.
The highlight of the event is the much-anticipated holiday costume contest with some of the most outlandish Christmastime outfits in town. The costume contest begins at 8 p.m. on the main stage at Generations Hall, and will be judged by local media celebrities. Prizes will be awarded for first and second places.
Category 6 and Paris Avenue will headline this year’s “Running of the Santas” post-run concert. Category 6 will rock the Christmas event at Generations Hall from 8:30 - 10 p.m., and Paris Avenue will ignite the crowd from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Tickets to the “Running of the Santas” are now available at runningofthesantas.com ― advanced discounted tickets are $15. VIP tickets are $75 and include free draft beer from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Manning’s and an open bar at Generations Hall. New details concerning the New Orleans “Running of the Santas” will be released via Facebook at facebook.com/runningsantas and on Twitter @RunningSantas.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit That Others May Live Foundation. The foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2002. The foundation provides scholarships, family counseling, and aid to surviving children of United States Air Force (USAF) Rescue Heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice during a rescue mission. The goal of the program is to ensure that every child of a fallen personnel recovery service member receives an opportunity for success.
About Running of the Santas
“Running of the Santas” is the premier holiday season event, which started in 1998 in the streets of downtown Philadelphia when 40 close friends decided to suit up in holiday costumes and go bar hopping. More than a decade and a half later, the “Running of the Santas” event has grown across the world with more than 20 host cities from Pennsylvania to the shores of New Zealand. “Running of the Santas” is a production of the Scat Back Foundation Inc.
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For more information, contact Steve Schulkens at 504.401.6990 or sschulkens@aol.com or Clark Castle at 504.909.9985 or clark@schulkens.com