Downtown businesses will be getting into the spirit of Easter this year by hosting a self-guided Stations of the Cross event scheduled for Good Friday.

The Stations of the Cross consist of 14 devotions reflecting on the final hours of Jesus’ Passion, from his condemnation to his burial. The purpose of the traditional Good Friday event is to meditate on Jesus’ love and sacrifice.

Turlock Downtown Property Owners’ Association Executive Director Travis Regalo is the brainchild of the inaugural Turlock event.

“It’s something I’ve taken on as a personal project,” he said. “…it’s inspired by the Stations of the Cross, which is traditionally a Catholic walk, but I know several other denominations do something similar. So, I’m making it a nondenominational walk. All Christian religions obviously believe in what Good Friday is all about and that’s what we wanted to push…the actual celebration and why Good Friday is important and the reflection on that and how we can apply it to our lives today.”

Regalo said he currently has 17 downtown businesses signed up to participate. The event is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Good Friday (April 3). Those wishing to participate should begin the experience at Central Park, 115 S. Golden State Blvd., where an event map will be available marking which businesses are participating.

Participating businesses will have a table set up with displays about what that Station of the Cross is and a corresponding prayer and scripture, “basically, telling the story of what Jesus went through from Pontius Pilate to resurrection,” said Regalo.

As this is the first year for this event, Regalo said he doesn’t know if 20 people will show up or 2,000, but he is excited about the community support he’s received so far.

“In the future, I would absolutely love to have this walk like it is, a self-guided tour, and then maybe even a time where it comes to a reenactment. That would be my future goal,” he said.

Regalo emphasized that this is a free event, open to the public and there is no purchase necessary at any of the participating businesses.

For more information about the event, or to get involved, contact Regalo at director@turlockdowntown.com or 209-634-6459.