At the Reno Santa Pub Crawl, from left, Heather Crawley is a wrapped present, Mark Morrison is a yeti, and Jeff Balmut is Santa’s helper as Santas frolick in front of Silver Peak Brewery downtown.
At the Reno Santa Pub Crawl, from left, Heather Crawley is a wrapped present, Mark Morrison is a yeti, and Jeff Balmut is Santa’s helper as Santas frolick in front of Silver Peak Brewery downtown.

’Twas the week before Christmas,

when all through the town

Santa was trying not to fall down.

The sleigh had been filled;

the elves all on break.

Santa took to the streets.

There was merry to make.

I had wondered myself

how one guy and one sleigh

pulls off world distribution

all on one day.

But now that I’ve seen

the Santa Pub Crawl,

I know just how Santa

conquers it all.

It’s true what they say:

Santa’s jolly, all-knowing.

But the guy’s basic secret

is actually cloning.

Last Saturday night,

the streets were a-swim

with not one red clad Santa—

but hundreds of him!

They wandered the city

by pick-up and bike.

Neither slick roads nor snow

impeded their hike.

They dropped by the jazz bar,

Basque club, and casino,

filled 29 bars in downtown Reno.

With elves and Santas,

the thruways were thick,

and I learned a few things

about old Saint Nick.

He works hard, as they say.

He’s crafty and arty.

But when chores are done,

Man, Santa can party!

He may wear a toga, so debonair.

He sometimes sports fishnets.

He could have green hair.

Sometimes he’s a pirate

loot and all, matey.

He may dress in drag;

He might be a lady!

But compared to Ms. Claus,

Santa’s fashion’s a flop.

She bought her red suit

at the lingerie shop.

At nightclubs and bars,

Santa sings out of tune.

He sips a Bud Light.

He howls at the moon.

So many temptations.

Will he stay in line?

I think I heard Santa

say, “Hey what’s your sign?”

Santa and pals frolic—

a lot.

They smile for reporters.

They pose for group shots.

Ol’ Santa cuts loose

but just once a year.

His ulterior motive

(besides his own cheer)

is to rouse up some funds

for Nevada Food Bank.

This year, it was nearly three grand

Hey, Santa, Thanks!

So, back to the North Pole,

for one more night cap,

two Alka-Seltzers,

and then a quick nap.

He must clock back in,

ready for the big flight;

fill his sack up with coal,

um, I mean toys. Right.

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