Nearly 30 rampaging Santas (and a couple of elves) descended on Madison Saturday and most likely left a number of parents struggling to explain to their children about the little mentioned "Santa cousins."

Gathering at 2 p.m. at the Red Shed off of University Ave., the Santas quickly threw back some drinks for warmth and headed over to the Chazen to take in some culture. At first museum security seemed slightly concerned at the site of a hoard of Santas invading the museum, but seemed to relax a little when it became apparent that Santa had no malicious intentions. Soon a school bus pulled up in front of the museum and all of the Santas boarded to head out of town to take in art of a different kind.

It turned out that a couple of the Santas on the bus had worked with Dr. Evermor creating many of the UFOs and other metal sculptures surrounding the infamous Forevertron time machine. A group of Santas visiting the snow covered Forevertron at dusk is like stepping into a Tim Burton film. With snow flakes drifting around the red and white caps, walking stick sized candy canes banging on tubular bell sculptures, giant metal creatures bouncing in the eventide wind, it was easy for that fairy tale section of the brain that has been dormant since childhood to reactivate.

With night creeping in it was time to clamor back aboard the bus and head back into town and to the Overture Center. The Santas gathered on the second floor and looked down at the smiling and confused theatergoers and sang to them "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." As they headed out from the Overture Center, the Santas approached children with pensive looks on their faces, but who immediately smiled when some of the Santas handed them stuffed animals.

It was time to feast and the Santas soon found their way to Brocach on the square. Little known fact, Santa loves Guinness and Pabst as much as he loves milk. The Santas were surprised and pleased to find more Santas waiting. Soon the Santas headed out into the night to bring more joy to the "Paradise," "Shamrock" and many other pubs on their journey.

All in all, Santarchy 2005 was a great success. Much nog was drank, joy was spread and the magical part of Santa - reinvented.

Below are some photos taken by Dane101 and Michael Donnelly. More pictures can be found on Flickr.