Annual pub crawl gathers toys for kids

PUB CRAWL LOCATIONSNorth Pole (North Shore)* BrewHaus, 224 Frazier Ave.* Hill City Pizza, 12 Frazier Ave.* North Chatt Cat, 346 Frazier Ave.* Northshore Grille, 16 Frazier Ave.* Taco Mamacita, 109 N. Market St.Workshop (downtown)* Big River Grille & Brewing Works, 222 Broad St.* Chattanooga Billiard Club, 725 Cherry St.* Hair of the Dog Pub, 334 Market St.* The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Parkway* Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St.* Raw Sushi Bar, 409 Market St.* Rooftop at Rio Picante, 203 W. Second St.* Sing it or Wing it, 410 Market St.South Pole (Southside)* Niko's Southside Grill, 1400 Cowart St.* Urban Stack Burger Lounge, 12 W. 13th St.* Terminal Brewhouse, 6 14th St.* The Social at Public House, 1110 Market St.* T-Bone's Sports Cafe, 1419 Chestnut St.

SANTA KIDS CRAWL LOCATIONS* Art Creations, 201 Frazier Ave.* A Child's Garden Boutique, 135 Frazier Ave.* Winder Binder Gallery & Bookstore, 40 Frazier Ave.* Blue Skies, 30 Frazier Ave.* Good Dog, 34 Frazier Ave.* Sweet CeCe's Frozen Yogurt & Treats, 330 Frazier Ave.

What better way to get into the holiday spirit, or spirits, than through a pub crawl?

The third annual Chattanooga Santa Claus Pub Crawl to benefit underprivileged children is Saturday night, according to its creator, Kirby Waddel Yost. This year, The Salvation Army will be the main beneficiary, she said.

"The basic idea of this event is that people come out and support Chattanooga businesses and local charities," she said in an email. "To participate, people must bring a new, unwrapped toy, according to Salvation Army standards, to donate. Although people hopefully visit several of the participating locations, it is only necessary to donate a toy at your first stop. Each location will have receptacles for collecting donated toys.

"In return for their donations, participating local businesses offer discounts to those who Santa Pub Crawl. And it is easy to decipher the Santa Pub Crawlers because everyone dresses up like Santa Claus or another Christmas character. Last year, we collected hundreds of toys, and I think everyone had fun participating."

A sub event designed to include kids has been added this year, she said. Called the Santa Kids Crawl, the concept is the same, though the drop-off locations are set up specifically for families and kids, Yost said. All are in the North Shore area.

Participating "pubs" can be found in three zones: on the North Shore, downtown and Southside.

Things will get under way at 4 p.m. Saturday.

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