Running Of The Santas Hopes To Draw 10,000
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The 16th annual Running of the Santas mega festival takes place on Saturday, December 7th in Philadelphia. Organizers are hoping to get a record breaking 10,000 participants this year.
"If you don't come dressed up you are going to stick out," says organizer Matt McDermott.
McDermott says most get dressed up as Santa Claus for the event but there have also been Mrs. Clauses, elves, Christmas trees and other holiday motifs in past years.
"So what we do is we start the party over on 3rd and Spring Garden, there are a few bars over there," said McDermott. "And then at 4 o'clock the Santas gather on the corner of 3rd and Spring Garden and parade over to 6th and Willow. It's about 5 blocks. And then when you get to the Electric Factory there are giant heated tents. We have a huge concert stage and we host a huge festival for the remainder of the day."
General admission tickets are $15, VIP tickets are $45 and Premium Package tickets are $125. More ticket information can be found at runningofthesantas.com.
A portion of the proceeds will go to two charities: the Ellie Koerner Leukemia Foundation and Philabundance.
