San Francisco Blog

Felipe Buitrago

Blushing brides

Newcomers to San Francisco quickly learn that pulling dubious stunts in public is about as essential a part of this city's character as Dungeness crab, Giants games, or self-entitled, ultra-liberal smugness. Whether it's tomato fights, pie-throwing, zombie proms, or no-pants train rides, San Franciscans love to join together in the sorts of antics you may have seen sorority pledges performing once a semester on your college campus. And why not? After all, this stuff is kinda fun.

Unless you're the poor schlep who gets to clean up. As the San Francisco Chronicle reported earlier this week, city officials say their patience is wearing thin with so-called "flash mob" events, and may crack down on particularly messy gatherings, such as the Valentine's Day pillow fight. So where does that leave the next flash mob get-together on the calendar -- the Brides of March?

This Saturday, March 14, a bunch of men and women wearing bridal attire will meet up for their 11th annual shopping-and-drinking caper through the city. The event's organizer, a 62-year-old man named Michele Michele, says he's aware of the city's concerns about flash mob events but that the Brides are an orderly crew. "We certainly love to keep our dresses pristine, as much as possible," he said. "I don't think the city has anything to be worried about, frankly. This is part of what makes San Francisco so interesting."

Michele said he hasn't fielded any calls or e-mails from city parks officials. We called Lisa Seitz Gruwell, spokesperson for the Recreation and Park Department, to see what she thinks. No word back yet.

Photo courtesy of Michele Michele.