IRVINE : Iranians to Gather at Park for Holiday

In what will probably be the largest single gathering of Iranians outside their homeland, more than 20,000 Southern Californians of Iranian descent are expected to gather Sunday at William R. Mason Regional Park to celebrate Sizdeh-bedar, the 13th day of the new year.

The age-old holiday is celebrated worldwide by Iranians of all religions, said Fardad Fateri, director of the Orange County center of the United States International University in Irvine. According to tradition, spending the 13th day of the year indoors will bring bad luck for the entire year, Fateri said. Iranians usually spend the day with their family and friends in public parks.

Celebrating Sizdeh-bedar at the Irvine park began informally about 1980 and attracted about 250 people, Fateri said. Through word of mouth, though, the event grew over the years and in 1989 drew thousands--and complaints from nearby residents when parked cars jammed their streets.

Since 1990, Iranian organizations have coordinated the huge family picnic with police and county park officials. Preparing for the annual event began in January with the cooperation of the Network of Iranian Professionals in Orange County, the Iranian Cultural Center of Orange County, the city and the county, Fateri said.

“There are several other ones in L.A., but this is the one people know about,” he said. “I know someone who’s coming from New Jersey. She has scheduled her visit so this picnic would be included in her stay here.”

The event is strictly non-commercial and family-oriented, Fateri said. No vendors or booths will be allowed, he said, although Iranian groups have organized displays of traditional Iranian dances and music and a display of male athletic prowess that mixes dance with the juggling of heavy wooden pins.

At least 500,000 people of Iranian descent live in Southern California, Fateri said, although some estimate the number closer to 1 million.

Event organizers hope that this year’s Sizdeh-bedar will attract people from other cultures to learn about Iranian culture, Fateri said. They are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the music and dance, he said.

The Iranian new year began March 20, the first day of spring. So the 13th day was really Thursday, Fateri said, which was a national holiday in Iran. But since most people here had to work Thursday, the celebration was delayed until Sunday, he said.

The city will prohibit on-street parking around Mason Park on Sunday because of past parking problems. Signs will direct drivers to nearby UC Irvine. There will be loading zones at the park, though, for drivers to drop off passengers, food and picnic supplies.

A shuttle will run between the campus and the park. There will be a $5-per-car charge at UC Irvine that will cover parking and shuttle trips.

Celebrating Sizdeh-Bedar Between 25,000 and 35,000 people in about 8,000 vehicles are expected Sunday at William R. Mason Regional Park. To avoid congestin, parking will only be permitted in designated lots at UC Irvine. Locations: Traffic officers will direct motorists to parking and shuttle stops. Cost: Shuttle service and parking $5. Shuttles: Seven shuttles will provide round-trip service from UCI to park. Hours: Shuttles will operate every 10 minutes, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Restrictions: No on-street parking near park; violaters will be towed. Source: Irvine Police Department