NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — SantaCon is again in New York Metropolis this 12 months.
Santa Clauses flocked to Instances Sq. on Saturday morning to kick off the occasion.
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From a Santa giving out free hugs and elbow bumps to the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who, individuals with every kind of costumes have been within the crowd to welcome again the annual bar crawl.
“After such a 12 months inside, I’m going to each crawl, each occasion, I don’t care. I’m getting dressed up for all the pieces,” stated a lady dressed up as Cindy Lou Who.
The New York vacation staple is making its comeback with COVID circumstances within the metropolis on the rise.
“At this level, I imply, what can we do? We’re going to get pleasure from ourselves. Some individuals would possibly get sick, however we acquired vaccinated. In the event you didn’t, you’re taking your probabilities,” stated “Cindy Lou Who.”
A SantaCon map on-line lists 50-plus venues from Midtown to the East Village.
“All people has to have their vax card. We’re completely pleasant with the police and all the principles of New York Metropolis, so venues are permitting individuals to return in in the event that they’re vaccinated,” one organizer stated.
One venue advised CBS2’s Leah Mishkin this can be a massive monetary increase after a tricky lockdown. Lengthy strains may very well be seen exterior most of the spots on the bar crawl.
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“I believe it’s a nasty thought as a result of we saw with the anime con, like, Omicron acquired unfold,” a lady named Peggy stated.
Some New Yorkers discover SantaCon as interesting as a cockroach in your residence.
A SantaCon attendee wearing a cockroach costume advised CBS2, “I’m simply right here to unfold the phrase you may’t kill SantaCon, similar to me.”
“I’m not a fan as a result of I labored within the eating places and so they prefer to get drunk and simply sort of a nuisance,” Peggy stated.
There was even a change.org petition with greater than 800 signatures to cancel SantaCon, saying it leaves behind a “path of fistfights, vomit, urine and rubbish.”
“A couple of years in the past, as a New Yorker, I believed it was completely annoying as a result of it will simply be packed up within the subway, however at the moment, I’m truly blissful they’re again,” New York Metropolis resident Renee Cummings stated. “SantaCon being again says New York Metropolis is again for good.”
Thus far, there haven’t been stories of any arrests, in contrast to in earlier years.
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CBS2’s Leah Mishkin contributed to this report.
