Yesterday, Dolores Park turned into a sun-baked sanctuary as thousands sprawled across the grass for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s annual Easter in the Park. Costumed crowds leaned into the unseasonably hot afternoon and roared through the Hunky Jesus contest, which wrapped with a solar-crowned "Renewable Jesus" walking away with the title.
According to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence's event page, "Easter in the Park: Love Thy Neighbor" was held at Mission Dolores Park yesterday, with the main-stage program running from noon to 4 PM. The free gathering featured a children's egg hunt, an Easter Bonnet contest, Foxy Mary and the Hunky Jesus competition, while organizers stressed accessibility and a "Leave No Trace" policy as part of the event permit. Volunteers and partners helped pull off the block-party-style celebration, and the Sisters note that donations from the day fuel the group’s community grants and outreach.
Renewable Jesus Takes the Crown
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, 28-year-old Miguel Velez, performing as "Renewable Jesus," worked the crowd in a halo of tiny solar panels and a miniature windmill and narrowly edged out a competitor billed as Cheez-Its Christ. Chronicle photos captured thousands packed into the park as the Sisters kept their long-running tradition going. Velez told the paper he leaned into a climate-focused look because of his worries about global warming and the strikingly warm weather that afternoon.
Politics, Pageantry and Community
The day blended drag, devotion and politics, with state Sen. Scott Wiener remarking, "We have a lot of different forms of church in San Francisco," according to The San Francisco Standard. The Standard also quoted visiting Sister Githie Githie Ya Ya exclaiming, "I'm in heaven," and noted vendors trekking the hillsides selling magic mushrooms and marijuana. Attendees described the gathering as a brief timeout from national politics, a chance to sunbathe, dance and lean into queer ritual and satire.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that this year’s theme, "Love Thy Neighbor," came with a deliberately political charge: contestants and honorees used their moments on stage to shout out local activists, chant against ICE and stage pointed satirical bits alongside the classic bonnet parade. Organizers and performers said that mix of spectacle and advocacy is what has kept the Hunky Jesus contest loud and alive after decades in the park.
Organizers repeatedly urged the crowd to clean up after themselves and stick to event rules, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence's event page lays out site maps, ADA and ASL viewing details and information for would-be volunteers. The free, volunteer-run celebration continues to serve as a key fundraising moment for the group, and the Sisters post photos and event recaps on their site for anyone who missed the spectacle in person.
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