I did the short loop last year and had a blast. The "rolling party" description that dtrain used is very appropriate. I didn't wear a costume and nobody gave me a hard time about it. The Laughing Planet chili at the end was fantastic. I don't know if we're getting that again.
In eight years or whatever that they've done it, last years "misting" was the most it has rained.
I'm hoping to do the "challenge" loop this year. The big obstacle is a 6% climb up Thompson road.