LA Santacon

Shit, man – what’s my 20 bucks for?

LA Santacon/Santarchy can get big – like some years as big as 400 Santas. 400 Santas! That’s excitement, that’s cheer, that’s an unmitigated whallop of jack-assery and mischief. That’s a lot of HO! - A sea of red to coordinate and a lot of Santa to move in a city dominated by sprawl and traffic lights.

This year Santa ain’t slummin’ it – we’ve got private chartered busses (sleighs). It’s been done in the past more than once with great success. Using busses not only streamlines the entire event, but allows sexy Santa to wear high heeled hooker boots all day without killing her feet.

Have you ever ridden in a bus packed with screaming Santas hanging out the windows, blowing kisses to the honking, cheering passersby? Well, it’s really fucking fun. So get on the bus – we’ll sing my holiday favorite, “Walkin’ Round in Women’s Underwear,” and keep our selves merry and further fuel the Holiday Chaos with surprise beverages and refreshments. Busses are not cheap and neither are the excellent, well-tipped drivers who are cheerful and tolerant of our shit. Busses are so worth the twenty bucks.

I mean, damn. When the LAPD calls in a chopper to investigate Santa having a snowball fight, disturbing the peace with naughty Twister and eating yellow snow, who comes to the rescue? The private chartered busses being driven by cheerful, well-tipped drivers who wanna save your silly Santa ass – that’s who. You want this convenience and amenity on your side.

All funds collected on the event are spent on SANTA – or tipping his bartenders who put up with the carnage. Or paying extra clean-up fees to the restaurant when Santa hurls into a plastic potted plant – it happens. Absolutely no Santa is paid for planning this shindig.

There is a contingency plan with a lower fee in the works for Santas on bikes – but remember that this year, Santa is headed out to spots that might be too far for bicycles. Just sayin’.

LA is a big place, something like 4 million potential Santas – if you really want a free Santacon, then by all means, co-ordinate one. The more the merrier! But, we really hope you join us! Yes, we will be checking tickets. If you show up expecting to hop on the sleigh and drink the special eggnog without paying, then you’re going to get left behind in a snowdrift – er – I mean, a street corner.

And remember, Santa has to plan this shit out in advance. If 100 extra Santa Fools show up at the last minute, it’s 100% impossible for Santa to pull an extra private chartered bus out of his jolly ass.

So register early and let’s show LA how to bring on the HO!

 Guest post by SantaTude!

Santacon 2010 Sleigh Passes

Get your LA Santacon Sleigh Passes here!

Please note: there are LIMITED sleigh tickets. // Santa ran out once and added two additional sleighs. Do not delay if you wish to join Santa on his sleigh. Sleigh passes are LIMITED.

*** We will be checking tickets. You must have a ticket to ride in the sleigh ***

** If you purchased a sleigh pass, but did not get a confirmation from Eventbrite or Paypal - your ticket may not have gone through.Try purchasing it again and contact Santa. ** Santa is sorry for the inconvenience, but y'all are hitting his servers hard. Santa is trying hard to get everyone a seat on the sleigh.

Why does it cost money?

There are real costs ($$) associated with this that have to be covered. 

Los Angeles is a unique city. It's huge, it has shitty public transportation not suited to 400 Santas in mass. Much of the public transit routes have been done - or are in areas that don't lend themself to 400 Santas. If you have ideas, then volunteer for the organization team next year. This year there were 10 new Santas co-creating the route you will experience on Dec 11. 

What does the $20 pay for?

Every route, experience, unfolds. Along that, there are possibilities, opportunities, intersections that have been primed for Santas visit. Other intersections have not been primed.

Past costs have included games, refreshments, ponies, paying for drinks in bars, snow, buses, medals, trophies, carol books, jello shots (last year there were 350+), entrance fee to museum, tips, cases of beer, entry to afterparty clubs, etc. Last year the money was spent on two poines, trophies and medals for santa, 25+ pizzas delivered, jello shots.

What else do I need to pay for?

There may be additional <$5 costs for the route. This does not include any purchased food or drink. Santa must cover this on his own. Santa does buy drinks for Santa and often keeps Santa stocked in creative yet legal ways. Santa does not break the law. To keep your Santacon experience as cost effective as possible, past Santas have encouraged Santa to bring a flask. For less frugal Santas, bring cash in small bills to cover food and drink purchases. The venues open themselves up to us and we must behave respectfully in return. 

It comes down to Trust

Do you trust Santa? Can you trust Santa? Is $20 an amount to build trust with Santa to magically surprise you with one of the best days of your life? A memorable event you can't wait to tell your friends. A day that possibly changes your life (if you let it.)

The Santacon experience is priceless. The only way you can "pay" for the experience is in your full and complete participation. The $20 covers the real world /economy stuff. Cover that, and we're free to experience the rest. You make the choice. The $20 is a small fee, compared to the impact on the rest of your life.

Tickets

Are available here.

Please note: there are LIMITED tickets.

*** We will be checking tickets. You must have a ticket to check in ***

More info

This year will utilize walking, metro and our own sleighs (because LA Public Transportation development takes too long!). Santa is visiting some old favorites as well as some new, never hit before, very Los Angeles areas. Public Interaction is high on Santa's 2010 list. 

LA Santacon is being organized by 10 of your own Los Angeles Santas. We look forward to Ho hohoing with you. 

By buying a ticket, you are agreeing to the Rules. Start location is shared with those who purchased tickets 48-24 hours before the event start.

Why do I have to pay? Where does the money go?

• Securing activities and transportation along the route. (Past costs covered by your ticket price has included games, refreshments, ponies, paying for drinks in bars, buses, medals, trophies, entrance fee to museum, etc.) 

Things You Should Know 

• Remember the Rules: You Agree to Follow the Rules by Purchasing a Ticket
• The LA Santacon Page
• Santacon Mailing List
• The Official LA Santacon Twitter Feed is at @lasanta

Santa Needs Helpers

• Santa needs helpers to herd the red tide and make sure no one is left behind. Want to help? Contact Santa to let him know. 
• The Cacophony is up to Santa. Got a great idea, game, prank you want to play? Contact Santa to make it happen - or just do it: but remember the spirit of Cacophony - meta pranks are lame and overdone.

Helpful Hints

• Get a Santa suit. These guys already kicked Santa some cash as a donation for the event, so show your support and visit them. I'm partial to the sequined Santa!
• Although Santa visits drinking establishments, it is recommended that you come prepared with your own libations.