PlanetEye

Olvera Street (El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument), the city's famed tourist attraction, isn't just a popular spot for eating Mexican food and buying novelty souvenirs. Numerous festivals are held here year-round. Perhaps none captures the spirit of L.A. more perfectly than the "Blessing of the Animals." Held in its present location since the 1930s, this annual event takes place on the Saturday prior to Easter (this year on 22 March). The colorful procession includes the usual cats, dogs, and birds, but all creatures are invited. Past participants have included donkeys, horses, hamsters, monkeys, chickens, tortoises, snakes, goats, and pigs--most donned in their baptismal best (a nicely decorated hat or gaily printed scarf are wardrobe basics). Simply watching this spectacle is a hoot, but the actual "service" is proper and pious. As each animal approaches the attending priest, it will be sprinkled with a few drops of holy water while a prayer is bestowed, blessing the creature for benefiting humankind. The blessing begins at 2 P.M. and lasts approximately three hours, but the "red-carpet" rollout begins much earlier. All pets are welcome, and admission is free. And you won't have to fight the paparazzi for a good view.