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How Berkeley Can YOU Be '05
Quick! Name an event that can combine politicians, naked folks (ok, just a few), Klingons, hippies, bunnies, art cars, and cheerleaders on a Sunday afternoon. Only the Tenth Annual How Berkeley Can You Be parade and festival in downtown Berkeley yesterday could do all that. Screwy Louie of Berkeley Liberation Radio kicked off the parade at 11:30 AM on one of the most summer-like days of the year.
Although this year's parade was not as large as it has been in the past and since this isn't a presidental election year, many familiar groups come out for the occasion anyway. The Emeryville Taiko Drummers, Tibetan Youth Council, Berkeley Public Library, and Grandmothers for Peace, were some of the walkers but the largest group consisted of the Art Cars. These are the cars you stare at on your street wondering how long it took someone to put 1000 cds on their Honda, and why. Now you know it takes as long as it takes, and they do it for the art, man.
Guest reporter Valerie J. Cochran, of Your Waitress Photos (which will feature highlights from the event all week), contributing
Cheer San Francisco collected money for the Cheer Life Fund that will go to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates was spotted amongst the parade walkers as was a rather short Governor Arnold imitator who was paddled occasionally while others reminded us of the importance of voting in the election on November 8.
After the parade the festival included booths filled with crafts, art, issues, food, and beer, or at least there was supposed to be beer. It hadn't arrived by the time your fearless, and rather thirsty reporter left. Luckily the Tiki Bar Float had Jello Shots for the adult crowd while the kiddies drank good old lemonade. Local bands took the main stage while Crystal and the Wolves rocked on the edge. Some of our favorite worthwhile organizations such as City CarShare and Livable Berkeley were also working booths.
Nice work Berkeley. Next year though can we get more naked peeps? Maybe even some really hot, think Brad Pitt type, ones?