As a San Francisco resident for over 6 years, Bay to Breakers is just about the nuttiest, annual event ever for locals and transplants. Last year attracted over 150,000 attendees! Taking into account the population of San Fran is around 700k, work the math out yourself.
The original idea for Bay to Breakers (101 years ago) was to be a local 12k marathon but most recently, it’s turned into a mayhem costume parade with less people running and more people drinking and walking. Some are in shopping carts, others on rollerblades, a few flying through the air on hi-tech springy rocket-sneakers but most are gliding up the route from the Bay Bridge to the Ocean (hence, Bay to Breakers name). It’s where people get dressed up like idiots and don’t care because if everyone else is dressed like a lunatic, then we’re all normal (there’s a psychology around safety in costume-numbers, I’m sure).
How To Glam It
I’ve been a policewoman, a ladybug, a boxer gal and (I think) something that resembled a fairy-princess, but don’t quote me on the last one. Friends get dressed in ‘teams’ so whether you’re a swarm of bees, or a bunch of glittery goblins, mad hatters or Giants supporters, you’re talking about a whole city dressed up…pounding the streets of San Francisco and making new friends that could possibly last one day or a lifetime. It’s the most united event I’ve ever seen in any city I’ve ever lived in (and I’ve lived, believe me!).
2012 Themes
I’m sure that this year will include a bundle of IPO Facebook costumes, maybe a bunch of ‘likers’ and guaranteed to include a TON of Zuckerberg hoodies. There is bound to be a few Angry Birds and a flurry of ‘Followers’ along with ‘Occupy Bay 2 Breakers.’ Always guaranteed are a few straggling 80yr old naked men! The latter is actually quite normal in San Francisco but on this special occasion, this is their day to let loose, literally. Either way, if you’ve never been to B2B, then put it on the same list as Coachella, Burning Man and Lollapalooza. Yep, you’ve gotta head to San Fran this weekend.
Watching costumers heading to the drag run is actually more amusing because, if you’re not a local, you actually have no idea why 25 men are dressed as intoxicated Jesus, chased by Black Swans!
Survival Tips
Befriend someone who lives on the B2B drag run. If you’re a die-harder fan, you’ll be walking from 6am so by 10pm, someone who lives in Hayes Valley is actually a bathroom lifesaver. It’s vital you find this new BFF and stay besties until Sunday night, minimum. Its category: bladder survival.
Don’t bring booze. Yes, it’s irritating but the law enforced a ban on this recently and I highly doubt anyone is in the mood to have their $120 keg confiscated. It has the same emotional pitfall-feeling as dropping your iPhone down the toilet by mistake during Happy Hour.
Find a meeting and ending point. If you can’t cut the 6am start, then meet pals around 10am at City Hall. Don’t rely on the ‘I’ll find you, stop worrying,’ because I’ll give you hard cash if your ‘theory’ is accurate. Make your end point at McDonald’s on Upper Haight. It’s a sure bet that you’ll be eating $10 in $1 burgers by the time you reach 3pm.
If you’re going to wear your Wonder Woman costume, wear it with flat boots & bring a backpack with a sweater. The second the crowd disperses in Upper Haight, you’ll freeze your powers off. Wonder Woman is a B2B icon, please don’t disappoint us by being too cold to twirl. Enjoy our unofficial national holiday!
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Heddi Cundle is proud owner of Muppet Bundle Cundle and the Big Cheese of myTab.co. A unique, socially-integrated travel gift card, myTab is where you save travel cash and shout ‘put it on myTab’ so friend & family contribute towards your travels. Then simply redeem your funds towards a dream trip, all within myTab. Through their platform, myTab can get you exclusive deals. Ideal for birthday trips, bachelorette getaways, reunions, wedding & honeymoon registry and more. Brilliant!
