CHICAGO, IL ( November 16, 2017 ) — Center on Halsted is excited to kick off the holiday season at the 7th annual Santa Speedo Run in Boystown on Saturday, December 2, 2017. The crowd will be making up for naughty to get on Santa's nice list as more than 200 Speedo-clad Santas dressed in holiday cheer merrily sing "Jingle BALLS" for the Santa warm up at Sidetrack on Halsted. At 2:00pm, the Santas will take to the streets and bravely run one-mile in the cold, wearing customized "North Pole" Speedos, through the heart of Boystown, as nearly 1000 revelers cheer them on to cross the finish line at Sidetrack!
The annual Santa Speedo Run raises money and awareness for Center on Halsted's programs that serve the LGBTQ community of Chicagoland. The 2017 Santa Speedo Run — Boystown is supporting the launch of Center on Halsted's HIV/AIDS and STD program campaign "Get to Zero" to eliminate new HIV infections and ensure that all people living with HIV receive treatment in Illinois by 2027. On December 1 for World Aids Day, Center on Halsted's eye-catching "Get to Zero" campaign banners will be all along Halsted Street, the heart of Boystown and the home of Center on Halsted.
The 2016 Santa Speedo Run raised $54,000 for Center on Halsted and the 2017 goal is $60,000 for Illinois to "Get to Zero". Santa says, "Get Your Santa On, Get Your Speedo On, and Get to Zero!"
Santa Speedo Run — Boystown
Benefiting Center on Halsted's "Get to Zero"
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Sidetrack - 3349 N Halsted St
12:00pm Sign-in and Registration at Sidetrack
1:50pm Santas Sing "Jingle Balls!" at Sidetrack
2:00pm Santas 1-mile Speedo Run through Boystown
2:30pm Awards, Entertainment, Naughty and Nice Holiday Festivities
Event Information Links:
Santa Speedo Run Information & Registration at the link: www.centeronhalsted.org/newevents-details.cfm .
Facebook Event Page at the link: www.facebook.com/Santa-Speedo-Run-Boystown-300941586597281/ .
ABOUT CENTER ON HALSTED
Center on Halsted is the most comprehensive community center in the Midwestern United States dedicated to building and strengthening the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer ( LGBTQ ) community. Impacting the lives of approximately 45,000 LGBTQ individuals a year, more than 1,400 community members of all ages walk through the doors every day to participate in the diverse public programs and social services. Center on Halsted offers youth and senior programming, behavior health services, HIV testing, anti-violence work, and educational programming including cooking and GED classes. For every dollar donated to Center on Halsted, nearly 75¢ are spent directly on providing these community programs and services. Additionally, thousands of individuals join us in basketball, volleyball, hockey, performance, art, and music. Center on Halsted is located in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview Neighborhood. For more information, visit www.centeronhalsted.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
ABOUT SIDETRACK
Sidetrack, Chicago's Original Video Bar, has been welcoming the community and the world for more than 35 years with a unique video mix of pop, rock, comedy, show tunes and retro favorites. Sidetrack is 21+ w/ valid ID. More information at www.sidetrackchicago.com