Last Monday, March 20, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere celebrated the first day of spring, also known as the vernal equinox — even though it may not feel a whole lot like spring, depending on where you are! The vernal equinox also marks the start of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The first event of this annual celebration is known as Chaharshanbe Suri, or the Festival of Fire. These traditions, once deeply religious but now more of a secular holiday, go back more than 3,000 years and have come to include many ethnic and religious groups. So this week I’ve chosen a segment that featured in both Visiting (in March 2009) and California’s Gold (date unknown). Huell always enjoyed himself whenever good food and fun traditions were involved, and this episode is no exception!

Huell attends an event in El Segundo Beach in Southern California connected with the Iranian New Year’s celebration known as Chahar Shanbeh Soori, or the Persian Festival of Fire. This celebration consists of music, dance, food, and jumping over bonfires.

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)