How Weird May Day

San Francisco residents congregated in the streets of SoMa to launch the city's street festival season with the 12th annual How Weird Street Faire.  Thousands of people took advantage of the warm weather Sunday exploring the "mythical realms" on Howard Street, dressed up in wacky outfits, dancing in the closed off streets, and simply enjoying the community's presence.  Nine stages with DJs spinning different styles of electronic music filled nine blocks, and the event really lived up to its name; the festival just kept on getting weirder and weirder.

The eclectic crowd didn't fail to amaze (or confuse).  There were capoeira dancers/fighters, numerous fairies, men and women wearing tutus, a pink devil, a queen with her entourage, and possibly everything else imaginable.  This year also featured an Art Alley showcasing local artists and live art, a May Pole ceremony and dance "calling forth the world of our dreams," and even an official flying saucer landing zone for intergalactic guests attending to participate in "universal peace."  (I don't know if any showed up.)

I first heard of the event through a friend and wasn't planning on attending because of an immense school load, but was convinced after seeing numerous wacky people heading to the festival.  Although I stayed only for a while, until I fulfilled my journalistic duty, the brief moment I was there really reinforced my appreciation for this city.  The civic participation is very impressive, especially in celebrations.  What, perhaps, is the best is that it is a free, all-ages event.  Yes, they ask for a $10 donation, which in turn gets you a Magic Sticker that is good for discounts with the many vendors.  You do see families, couples, and singles, and the party continues for those 21 and over at the nearby nightclubs after the street fair ends at 8pm.  It is ironic, though, that a city that takes pride in it's progressiveness and activism decides to celebrate International Workers' Day in such a manner.  How weird.