The annual State College Santa Crawl is coming to town for its 14th year on Saturday.
The event is the town’s largest holiday event for adults. More than bar hopping in Santa costumes, the Santa Crawl raises money through wristband sales for the Pat Boland Memorial Internship Fund, awarded to students in Penn State’s Bellisario College of Communications with an interest in broadcast journalism.
To date the Santa Crawl has raised $40,000 for the fund with awards given to nine students.
This year’s participating establishments are Lion’s Den, Primanti Bros., Adam’s Apple, The Brewery, The Shandygaff, Mad Mex, Darkhorse, The Phyrst, Local Whiskey, Champs, Pickle’s, Zeno’s, Allen Street Grill, Indigo, Cafe 210, Federal Taphouse, Chrome and The Rathskeller.
The crawl will start at 8 p.m. at four bars: Cafe 210, Primanti Bros., Champs, and Federal Taphouse. “9 p.m. Crawlers” can spread out to any of the remaining spots on the crawl. The crawl will last until 2 a.m. December 10.
Wristbands at a cost of $20 are available prior to and the day of the event at all starting points as well as Hotel State College, Bradley’s Cheesesteaks, and The Tavern. On Dec. 9, Indigo and Champs will also have bands available. Purchasing a wristband is optional, but it certainly goes to a good Claus and saves you from paying a cover charge at each bar.
All money raised from the wristband sales goes to the Boland Fund, with Santa Crawl organizers and partners absorbing any costs. The fund is named in honor of State College radio news and sports reporter Pat Boland, who passed away in 2011 after a battle with cancer.
