“Weird Al" Yankovic has a song called Christmas at Ground Zero. The song, written at the height of the Cold War, is a juxtaposition of Christmas and a nuclear war. I think of this song whenever I hear the word “Santarchy," mostly because of the lyric“You might hear some reindeer on your rooftop/Or Jack Frost on your windowsill/But if someone's climbing down your chimney/You better load your gun and shoot to kill." I'm pretty sure those words by "Weird Al" scarred me more as a child then any other music.

The second image that pops into mind is Billy Bob Thornton in the certain to one day be a cult Christmas classic Bad Santa (don't believe me? Do you think when it was first released anyone thought A Christmas Story would eventually be played over and over and over again on Christmas Day and become thee Christmas movie?)

Those images return as Santarchy weekend is about to fall upon Madison. Last year Dane101 took part, interviewing one of the (at least) two Santarchy (or SantaCon) groups that run amuck each year in MadCity (results of the rampage can be found here). As with every year the Santa forces will collide at the Pub on State Street - but there are plenty of opportunities to take part prior to the eventual Santapubplosion. One group will be starting at a undisclosed location dubbed the North Pole around 4 p.m. on Saturday. They will be using the opportunity to lube up their pipes with plenty of nog as they prepare to bring their unique brand of red, green, and white joy to the masses. From there the Santas will utilize public transportation (reindeer fuel prices are outrageous this year) descend on Mickey's Tavern on Willy Street at 6 p.m. for pool, pinball, and more libation.

Then the caroling will begin as the gang of Santas march down Willy Street. From there they will be hitting the Come Back/Essen Haus (where Santa may actually drink from his boot!), and eventually making it up to State Street for more caroling and the eventual Santacophony at the Pub. Everyone is welcome to join up at anytime - just be sure to put on your best Santa outfit (last year I was Super Santa, not Dungeon Master Santa as one person so kindly suggested).

Finally, to get you into the Christmas spirit, Dane101 presents Lobo's Paramilitary Christmas Special, yet another eventual Christmas classic. Courtesy of the amazing folks at RubyFilmz.

Jesse Russell

Co-Editor

Jesse was born and raised in Connecticut, began blogging in 1997, and moved to Madison in 2003. In 2005, he co-founded dane101 along with Kristian Knutson and Shane Wealti. In addition to helping nearly a dozen contributors run this website he's helped launch various events in the city including What's Your Damage?!, the MadPubQuiz of Awesomeness, the Fire Ball Masquerade, Dane101's Freakin' Halloweekend, and more.