Park City resident Rachel Watts remembers a childhood Christmas that almost wasn’t.
“It was just me and my sister, and I think we were about 8 at the time,” she said. “All that was under the Christmas tree was a little tin that contained a watercolor palette and brush. My sister and I thought it must have been awful for our parents to not be able to have a better Christmas for us. So, we decided to make it the best Christmas ever.”
That memory inspired Watts to organize Park City’s annual Santa Pub Crawl 13 years ago. The goal back then remains the same: collect new toys for Operation Hope, the Christian Center of Park City‘s take on Sub for Santa, Toys for Tots and other programs that provide toys to underprivileged families during the holiday season.
This year’s event, which is open to ages 21 and older, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2, Watts said.
The event starts at 6 p.m. at Butcher’s Chop House and Bar, 751 Main St., she said.
“They have great food, and it’s always a good idea to get some food inside of you before you venture out to the bars,” she said with a laugh.
Before heading to Butchers, pub crawlers can donate new and unopened toys at Downstairs, 625 Main St.
“This is the main drop off, and if you drop off a toy, you don’t have to pay a cover charge at the bars,” Watts said. “Seth Hill (operating partner of Downstairs) has been doing a toy drive for the Christian Center of Park City even before he partnered with us.”
Donors will get hand stamps, which will get them into the other participating pubs — No Name Saloon Bar & Grill, 447 Main St., Flanagan’s on Main, 438 Main St., and The Cabin, 427 Main St.
While these venues will all accept toy donations, Watts would prefer people drop the toys off at Downstairs or Flanagan’s, and she encourages donors to “go big” on the toys.
“I want to encourage people to be generous,” she said. “Sure you can buy a $10 toy and join us, but I would like to have people think about what they would have liked when they were a kid.”
Some past donations have included kids bicycles, drum sets, video games and consoles, Watts said.
“It’s just heartwarming when I see all of those gifts at the end of the night and the next morning,” she said. “The Christian Center has told me that this one night is the biggest toy gathering event for the whole season, and they get enough toys that they also send some to the Goshute Nation in the Four Corners area.”
Cash will also be accepted for those who don’t have donations.
“If people just decided to join us at the last minute and don’t have a toy, $10 will get you in and your hand stamped,” she said.
Pub crawlers don’t have to follow any particular schedule after donating the toys, Watts said.
“Some people head straight to No Name or The Cabin, while others make their way to Flangan’s,” she said. “The bars are open all night, so you can go where you want.”
Throughout the evening, the 2023 Santa Pub Crawl shot glass that will be on sale at Downstairs, Watts said.
“People can buy it for $10 to commemorate this year’s event, and the money will be donated to the Christian Center,” she said.
The night will close with a party at The Cabin, Watts said.
“Both levels of The Cabin will be open, and the party will be held in the Den on their lower level,” she said.
The party will include live music by local band, Los Hellcaminos, and an opportunity drawing, Watts said.
“Hotel Park City has donated a night’s stay and a dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse as the grand prize for the opportunity drawing, and we’ll do that around 11:30 p.m.,” she said. “Winners need not be present to win.”
Entering the drawing is easy, said Watts.
“People can keep a look out for me and other people who are wearing armbands,” she said. “These arm bands that have a VR code on them, and people can scan the code and buy tickets for the opportunity drawing.”
The money from ticket purchases will also go directly to the Christian Center of Park City, Watts said.
“Becca McHaas (of McHaas Consulting) has set this whole thing up so it can be done electronically,” she said.
Another way to add to the evening’s festivities is to arrive in costume, Watts said.
“It’s a holiday-themed event and we have some people who come every year in their same costumes, because they are so epic,” she said. “There are two guys who come as giant snowmen, and their costumes are lit up from the inside. We always get some elves, and a friend of mine comes as a reindeer.”
Watts always dresses up as a toy soldier, which makes it easy for people to find her.
“I don’t go incognito, because people may have questions that need to be answered,” she said. “So they can find me.”
Watts expects thousands of people to participate in the Santa Pub Crawl this year, and the event wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for her partners.
“I would like to thank Jesse Shetler, Rob Wedig and Frank Dwyer at No Name,” she said. “And a big thanks needs to go to John Kentworthy at Flanagan’s and Junior Richard at The Cabin.”
Watts also wants pub crawlers to have a great time, but do it responsibly.
“Please, figure out how you’re getting home beforehand, because this is not a night to plan on driving home, even if you’re having even one adult beverage,” she said. “There are plenty of hotels around, including Hotel Park City, one of our sponsors. You can always call Lyft or Uber, or appoint a designated driver. Whatever you do, we just want to make sure you’re safe and can join us again next year.”