Celebrate Alternative Easter Ideas

Easter always seems like a weird holiday to me. I mean, the rest of the Christian world gets a week off of work for Semana Santa in Latin countries or Paaske in Scandanavian countries. Here in America, we don’t even get one day off of work! But many Americans do go to church on Easter Sunday – even if they are not avid church-goers. Perhaps it makes them feel like better human beings, or perhaps it is the time of year they really do believe in something holy.

I’m not trying to tell you to go to church tomorrow; in fact, the thought of sitting in a church listening to a priest talk about how Jesus was resurrected in order save MY SOUL sounds a bit frightening. I decided to check out other meanings to why we celebrate Easter. The most logical one is the Pagan meaning, which celebrates Eostre, the Goddess of Fertility. That explains all of the eggs and bunnies American use to commercially sell the holiday. Aphroidite from ancient Cyprus, Hathor from ancient Egypt and Ashtoreth from ancient Israel are other symbols of fertility. From the Pagan perspective, Easter is a celebration of new life and new harvests that come with the spring.

Forget feeling guilty for your sins, find something fun to do this Easter. I’m not sure if this is just a California mentality, but here are a few alternative ways you can celebrate Easter Sunday in San Francisco:

The 20^th Annual Union Street Spring Celebration and Easter Parade (FREE)

Do the walk of life and take a tour through our fine city. The event runs from 10 am-5 pm and the parade starts at 2 pm on Union St. between Gough and Fillmore. See some wacky, fun things such as car art, garden areas and…roller-blading cows!

Easter in Dolores Park (FREE)

Join the second coming of Easter in the park and mix and mingle with an international crowd. The festivities start at 11 am and go all day. There are a few kid-friendly events such as an Easter egg hunt and face-painting. But the real fun aimed at adults includes a Hunky Jesus contest and a creative Easter bonnet contest.

11th Annual BYOBW (Bring Your Own Big Wheel) (FREE but donation welcome)

This event definitely sounds the most fun to me! Remember those Big Wheel trucks you used to have as a kid? Come charge down San Francisco’s real windiest hill at Vermont St. and 20^th St. (not Lombard.) The 11^th annual race starts at 4 pm. Costumes are welcome and Big Wheel decorating is encouraged. Be sure to fill out a release form.

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