More Naked People…
Yesterday was a special day in San Francisco. For 95 years, residents and curious visitors have come together to celebrate this annual tradition: Bay to Breakers. As the name would suggest, Bay to Breakers is a race / party that spans 12km from the Bay Bridge to the breakers at the Great Highway on the western side of town. This city-wide event began in the wake of the 1906 earthquake, as San Franciscans set upon the task of rebuilding their city and morale with a series of events. Today the event is a symbol of San Francisco’s colourful inhabitants, displaying their playfulness and creativity.
Few of the 60,000 people who participate in the event are actually there to win. Most have spent days pulling together clever costumes (or in several cases, building up the nerve to go without costume and running the race au-natural). Naughty nurses, drunken sailors and even a mobile Tiki Bar are some of the cast of characters you will encounter along the way. The shopping cart is a typical race prop, used to push kegs of beer, to keep participants well hydrated. Residents who live along the course reciprocate their good fortune by adorning their front lawns with artistic displays and creative shows to keep participants entertained and encourage them to go the distance.
This event is a must-see for any Bay Area visitor wishing to get a feel for the local culture.
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