May 13, 2017 is Flowers In Your Hair Day in San Francisco
Travelers at SFO to Receive Flowers, United Airlines Landing Flight #1967
May 1, 2017 – Saturday, May 13, 2017 will be the 50th anniversary of the song “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair).” This mellow tune became the anthem of the Summer of Love in 1967 and continues to invite the world to come and meet “some gentle people with flowers in their hair.” The song and what it stands for will be celebrated throughout the city of San Francisco on May 13, 2017 as Flowers In Your Hair Day.
“Now more than ever, we need to let the world know that San Francisco welcomes everyone to our city,” said Joe D’Alessandro, president and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association. “The spirit of openness and inclusion that epitomized the Summer of Love lives on as a part of San Francisco’s culture today.” San Francisco Travel is encouraging organizations and individuals throughout the city to celebrate the day by giving flowers to visitors, guests and customers. Local radio stations are being encouraged to come together to play “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” in unison at noon. At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Terminal 3 East will be filled with “Flowers In Your Hair” activities, transporting people back to the groovy days of 1967.
Travelers passing through Terminal 3 East that morning will be greeted with flowers courtesy of the California Cut Flower Commission. United Airlines’ specially-numbered flight 1967 will arrive from Los Angeles International (LAX) at Gate 67 at 11 a.m. A path of colorful flower decals will lead from Gate 67 to Madame Tussaud’s selfie-friendly figures of Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia and Jimi Hendrix and the friendly, four-legged Wag Brigade greeting people in tie dyed flair and other surprises.
At 11:30 a.m., the renowned San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will perform the song of the day as part of their “Summer of Love” medley, which will be performed in full at their upcoming concert “The Gay Kitchen Sink” at the Nourse Theater on June 16-17, 2017. Flowers will also be given to guests at San Francisco Travel’s Visitor Information Center at the lower level of Hallidie Plaza. San Francisco Travel’s 50-day digital “Share Your Love” campaign also kicks off on May 13. The program asks followers to perform an act of kindness and love and share with the hashtag #SummerofLove50 to spread the Summer of Love spirit that began in 1967. The program continues through July 1, 2017. People everywhere are invited to join the movement. More information is available at www.summeroflove2017.com.
Also happening in San Francisco on May 13, 2017:
The California Historical Society will be celebrating the opening of its new exhibition, “On the Road to the Summer of Love,” with two events. The highlight of the day will be a conversation with legendary music producer Lou Adler, who created the Monterey Pop International Festival (Monterey Pop) in 1967 and is helping lead the 50th anniversary celebration of Monterey Pop this June. In May 1967, Adler produced “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)”, written by John Phillips and recorded by Scott McKenzie, in part as a promotion for Monterey Pop.
Earlier that day, the California Historical Society’s History Play Date Family Program celebrates their exhibition, “On the Road to the Summer of Love,” with a groovy day of music and crafts. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., families can make paper flowers and crowns and help to create a psychedelic mural inspired by the art and spirit of the 1960s. Dress up in the hip styles of the Sixties and take a photo in the way back machine photo booth. At 12:30 p.m., everyone can jam and dance with pre-school teacher and early childhood guru Mike Santillan. The event is free for families and anyone who has a flower in their hair.
The de Young is hosting its first-ever Teens Take Action event. Teens will learn ways to unite and support each other for important social issues concerning identity, the environment, equality and immigration. The museum will host local and nationwide community groups to speak about current social issues as well as spoken word and poetry performances, gallery activities, protest poster art making and music of the times. This event is free and open to teens ages 13–17. For teens to receive their complimentary ticket, they must first check in at the welcome table in Wilsey Court on the day of the event.
The Tenderloin Museum celebrates its second birthday on May 13 with a variety of Summer of Love-related events, including daylong free museum admission. At 4 p.m., the Tenderloin Museum presents “The Diggers’‘Invisible Circus’ Remembered,” examining what the Summer of Love was like in the Tenderloin. Judy Goldhaft (original participant in the Diggers) and Eric Noble (Diggers archivist) talk with Lisa Ruth Elliott (Shaping San Francisco’s co-director) about who the Diggers were, and their radical anti-capitalist philosophy and activities.They will share archival materials and personal experiences from the Diggers’ “Invisible Circus” Happening at Glide Church on Feb. 24, 1967. Stories about the “Invisible Circus” became legend in San Francisco’s hip community for years. Originally billed as a 72-hour event, participants were thrown out within 24 hours. See the poster from the event and hear stories of the spectacle from the Diggers themselves. At 5 p.m. “San Francisco Chronicle” columnist David Talbot, author of the best-selling “Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror, and Deliverance in the City of Love,” gives his unique perspective on this seminal time in history.
The San Francisco Travel Association is the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. For information on reservations, activities and more, visit www.sftravel.com or call 415-391-2000. San Francisco Travel operates Visitor Information Centers at Hallidie Plaza, 900 Market St. at the corner of Powell and Market streets, and on the lower level of Macy’s Union Square. San Francisco Travel is also a partner at the California Welcome Center at PIER 39.
American Express® is the official Card partner of the San Francisco Travel Association.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more than 46 international cities on 39 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport connects non-stop with 79 cities in the U.S. on 13 domestic airlines. SFO is proud to offer upgraded free Wi-Fi with no advertising. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit www.flysfo.com. Follow SFO on www.twitter.com/flysfo and www.facebook.com/flysfo.
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Media Contacts:San Francisco International Airport: Doug Yakel, Public Information Officer, 650-821-4000, Doug.Yakel@flysfo.com Media interested in covering the activities at SFO must contact Doug Yakel to arrange credentials. Ketchum Public Relations: Jamie Haley, 310-437-2510, Jamie.haley@ketchum.com. San Francisco Travel: Laurie Armstrong, Media Relations, 415-227-2615/415-290-6830, laurie@sftravel.com