Sunday, April 01, 2007

Come Suck The Light

It's April Fool's Day, and in San Francisco, that means only one thing: It's time for the St. Stupid's Day parade! Since 1979, various members of the San Francisco Mime Troupe and their friends and supporters have been gathering to celebrate the single holy day of the First Church of the Last Laugh. St. Stupid is known for saying, "If it's true, it's funny," and "I know, I know, but you know, you never know." I've participated in about four or five of these gatherings over the years, and this year's parade was blessed with good weather and lots of color, fun and music. We gathered at the base of the Transamerica Pyramid at noon, then marched up Columbus Street to Washington Square, where a stage was set up and musicians and other Stupid devotees performed. Here are just some of the approximately 200 pictures I took.

Getting an unofficial blessing before the parade starts.
If you're going to participate, you should try to get into the spirit of the event. Unfortunately, I didn't have anything appropriate to wear.
Then again, neither did this fellow, who obviously stole his hat from the Transamerica lobby.
Bishop Joey, head of the First Church of the Last Laugh.
Signs like this one and regular chants like "No more chanting! No more chanting!" are de rigeur for the event.
"I'm with Stupid." We could all make that claim today.
Somehow a George W. Bush supporter got mixed up with the crowd.
It takes balls to go out in public looking like this.
Marching up Columbus, after we'd stopped at the Church of Scientology for the traditional cheer: "Gimme an L!" "L!" "Gimme a Ron!" "Ron!" "What's that spell?" "Bullshit!" "What's that spell?" "Bullshit!" "What's that spell?" "Bullshit!"
Some people dress up for the parade, others dress down.
Just one of many colorful couples.
Just one of many colorful... Don Knotts believers.
This woman asked me to take her picture and send it to her via email. I hope she doesn't mind me posting it for my readers to enjoy as well.
Making plans for Easter, obviously.
Appropriate transportation for the day.
A mask made of kitchen utensils? Man, that's stupid!
Dude, what's that dog doing with his head in your dress? Are you stupid, or what?
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