It was a sunny afternoon in San Francisco’s Mission Dolores on Easter Sunday, with thousands basking in the warmth—and occasional gusts of wind—in Dolores Park.
On blankets and in folding chairs, the bunny-ears-wearing crowd gathered for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s annual Easter in the Park celebration.
Jesus Ken won the Hunky Jesus contest at 2024 Easter in the Park. (Courtesy JL Odom) 
Miguel, the 2024 bonnet winner, is a veteran of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s Easter in the Park bonnet contest. The tall hat features the Statue of Liberty, whose robe opens to reveal the word “VOTE” and a figure wearing a harness and briefs. (Courtesy JL Odom) 
L-R, Honey Mahogany and Sister Roma emceed Easter in the Park on March 31, overseeing the Easter Bonnet, Foxy Mary and Hunky Jesus costume contests. (Courtesy JL Odom) 
L-R, Zsa Zsa Glamour and Lourdes Mae Shepherd were among the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Dolores Park for the annual Easter celebration, which started in 1979. (Courtesy JL Odom) 
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence gathered onstage on Sunday at Easter in the Park in San Francisco’s Dolores Park. (Courtesy JL Odom) 
Bruce Beaudette, among the Easter Bonnet contestants at Easter at the Park, dubbed his look “Filthy Trashy Easter.” (Courtesy JL Odom) 
L-R, Paul Brady and Frank Reyes, who live near Dolores Park, donned bunny ears to take in the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s festivities on Easter Sunday. (Courtesy JL Odom) 
Easter in the Park volunteer Dan was selling Jell-O shots in Dolores Park, with proceeds going to AIDS/LifeCycle. (Courtesy JL Odom) 
Sisters Eva Lye and Battie Mage of Tampa Bay traveled to San Francisco for the annual Easter in the Park. (Courtesy JL Odom) 
Thousands gathered in Dolores Park on Sunday for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s Easter in the Park on its 45th anniversary. March 31 was also Transgender Day of Visibility. (Courtesy JL Odom)
The philanthropic queer and trans nuns of the Sisterhood, marking their 45th anniversary, honored International Transgender Day of Visibility (held annually on March 31) with a fun show.
Sister Roma and Honey Mahogany were the emcees, overseeing the Easter Bonnet, Foxy Mary and Hunky Jesus contests, getting entertaining responses from participants.
Bonnet contestants had cute quips to describe their hats: “They’re melting in the sun” (about a Peeps-rimmed bonnet); “Twigs and sticks and bunnies that roamed around up there”; “It’s the chicken laying the eggs before the bunny steals them”; and “Everything the Dollar Tree had to offer.”
The Easter Bonnet winner was Miguel, a contestant veteran, whose bonnet featured an absurdly tall Statue of Liberty with a robe reveal.
It was up to the crowd to decide on the winner for each contest, via applause. Sometimes, though, it was tough to tell who the audience had selected, such as during the Foxy Mary final round.
”I feel like some of you all cheered for more than one,” said Mahogany.
“This time, please only cheer for your favorite. This is a big deal. This is Foxy Mary 2024. Do you know the responsibilities of this contest winner? None. Zero,” added Sister Roma.
Ultimately, Puta Madre claimed Foxy Mary 2024, with last year’s winner, I Had a Choice Mary, making the official announcement. The Foxy Mary segment also saw the first-ever Easter in the Park onstage proposal (getting a “yes” response).
In the final event of the afternoon, Mahogany and Sister Roma implored Hunky Jesus contestants to provide details: “Which Jesus are you?”; “What’s your name? Tell me about your look.”
Competitors included Zombie Jesus, Drag Jesus, Fighting for Democracy Jesus, Trailer Trash Jesus, Golden Shower Jesus and the winner, Jesus Ken.
While some in the crowd gathered their belongings to take off in different directions following the contests, many stayed for the thumping dance music emanating through the park, prolonging the one-of-a-kind celebration of Easter Sunday and TDOV, courtesy of the Sisters.
To donate to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, visit justgiving.com/sistersofperpetualindulgenceinc.