Sunday, December 19, 2010

Ho, Ho, Ho

(I'm the HO on the right)

Last weekend, in celebration of all things jolly,  I attended my 5th annual Santa gathering known as Santacon - a colossal band of costume clad misfits focused on spreading goodwill, good cheer, creativity and spontaneity. 

Santa's take over Time Square

Santacon (short for Santa Convention) got its start in San Francisco in 1994 and now takes place in over 178 cities and 24 countries.

The largest gathering on record took place in Moscow in 2006, when over 70,000 Santa's formed a virtual sea of red.

Santa's fill the streets of Moscow

Santacon - a marathon long flash mob meshed with libations, reindeer games, song and dance - begins at 10:00 am and if you pace yourself just right, finishes at sunrise.  

Washington Square Park - NYC

Contrary to what people might think, Santacon is NOT a pub crawl and Santa gets upset when you call it that.  So much so that every time you say it's a "pub crawl" a sugarplum fairy looses its wings (t's that serious).

Panda finds herself at the right hand of the father 
Santacon 2009

Santa is never sloppy, nor does he participate in violence, vandalism, or inappropriate groping.

Frosty Shannon - Santacon 2008

Santa encourages good deeds by bringing canned goods for the homeless, treats for the children and free entertainment for the tourists.

Gothic Santa hanging with hero's 
Santacon 2007

But mainly, for me, it's an excuse to costume up, click away, and party like a Rock Star!

Santa Shannon aka "Tally Ho" dancing on a bar 
Santacon 2006


Christmas Mess Me - Santacon 2010



Talk about a ROCK STAR!!!

14 comments:

  1. How have I never heard of this? Looks like so much fun!

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  2. Looks like an amazing time and great cause! Over here we have Santas On The Run...charity run with everyone dressed in Santa suits, which is also fun :)

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  3. Never heard of it either, looks like a blast

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  4. Merry Christmas Green-Monkey, how are you. Your pictures are great and you looked great!

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  5. Wow! Love the photos. Looks like a kickass time. I would love to go.

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  6. I love it, I love it, I LOVE IT! you are such a festive, free spirit Shannon!!! an inspiration for a wannabe writer-joy of life seeker- free thinker like me!!!!!

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  7. This sounds like awesomely good fun! I heard about SantaCon just this morning on the radio (I guess there was some un-Santa like behavior at the SantaCon here, but there's un-Santa like behavior just about everywhere...). You always let us know about the funnest events & even if we can't be there for ourselves, we can at least live vicariously, through you!

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  8. This is awesome. Glad you had so much fun.

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  9. I wish I was exciting and put on a Santa suit. Very cool.

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  10. Wow, Green Monkey, I feel like I just got an early Christmas present! :D
    Really enjoyed the G-rated jolly, clean holiday fun piece.

    Funny caption under 1st photo. Lol. Ho on the right! :D

    How do you find out about these kinds of events?! You've experienced so many things I've never even heard of and you're from Connecticut?! No one even knows where the state you live in actually is!

    Maybe Santa will fill what was next on my wish list...

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  11. My *!<* dashboard is not up dating! I was coming to check on you and found this hilarious post :D

    How do you find such great things? I'm not sure about the costumes but I could give you a run for your money dancing on bar tops (LOL)

    Wishing you a very Merry, Peaceful Christmas my friend.
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  12. This looks like so much fun... Feels like I have attended it through blog, a wonderful post with so many pictures!!
    Have a Merry Christmas:)

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  13. Shannon, so happy to see that you've returned to blogging. I've missed you and hope you are well. Love the SantaCon concept. I'd not heard of it. What a great way to enjoy the holidays! I look forward to following your life's adventures in the new year. Best wishes to you!

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  14. Ahhh.... ((((THANK YOU)))) everyone!

    I can't help myself, I love putting on a costume~ wigs, eyelashes, makeup.....tutu's!!!

    Do you ever notice how thrilled little girls are when they're wearing something they picked out. They'll twirl, prance and pose. They don't care about fashion trends or name brands, or sensibility... They're focused on FLAIR!!!


    Here's to TWIRLIN' PRANCIN' AND POSIN' !!!

    Wishing you all a very JOLLY christmas and FABULOUS New Year!

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Thank you for encouraging my JOY of writing. By reading and commenting you are feeding my soul, stroking my heart, and in the end...making me a better writer.

Thank You For Encouraging My Joy of Writing

Thank You For Encouraging My Joy of Writing
greenmonkeytales@live.com

Shannon E. Kennedy

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Photo by Joan Harrison