Celebrating solstice: Pagans, party goers and naked bicycle riders

June 22, 12:40 AMPortland Humanist ExaminerMicha J. Stone

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A few of Seattle's naked bicycle riders at the Fremont Solstice Parade.
 

Pagans, party goers and naked bicycle riders all celebrated the Summer Solstice. Summer solstice is a time of ceremonies and rituals for Pagans and Wiccans. It is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. People around the world observe spiritual and religious seasonal days of celebration during the month of June. Most have been linked in some way to the summer solstice. Summer solstice is typically June 21 and is considered the first official day of summer. It is also referred to as Midsummer because it is roughly the middle of the growing season throughout much of Europe.

At Stonehenge, England, Pagans and party goers drummed and danced through the night, as more than 35,000 people greeted the summer solstice. Despite fears of trouble because of the record-sized crowd, police said the annual party at the mysterious monument was mostly peaceful.

Stonehenge sits on Salisbury Plain about 80 miles (130 kilometers) southwest of London. It is one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions, visited by more than 750,000 people a year. It was built in three phases between 3,000 B.C. and 1,600 B.C. Mystery surrounds the monument's original purpose. Some theories hold that the stone circle was a grave site because 350 burial mounds surround the structure.

Many believe it is a magical place

Meanwhile, closer to home, here in Seattle, residents enjoyed the annual Seattle Fremont Solstice Parade. Parade goers were given an unofficial parade by hundreds of colorfully painted, and naked bicycle riders. The naked bicycle riders, many in body paint, rode up and down the parade route before the official parade began. Unlike years past, police did not try to interfere with the peaceful bike riders.

From all accounts both official and unofficial parades proved to be joyous and festive spectacles. 

Watch a video of the happenings at the Freemont Solstice Parade: