Daily Archives: February 11, 2012

Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco – 2/11/12, SF

Chinese New Year Parade SF

“Named one of the world’s top ten parades, Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is the largest celebration of its kind outside of Asia. Over 100 units will participate in the parade, many of the floats and specialty units will feature the theme of this year’s Chinese zodiac sign. Nowhere in the world will you see a lunar new year parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, and exploding firecrackers. Some of the parade highlights include elaborately decorated floats, school marching bands, martial arts group, stilt walkers, lion dancers, Chinese acrobatics, the newly crowned Miss Chinatown USA and the Golden Dragon. The Golden Dragon is over 201 feet long and is always featured at the end of the parade as the grand finale and will be accompanied by over 600,000 firecrackers! The Golden Dragon was made in Foshan, a small town in China. The Foshan dragonmasters formerly made all the costumes for the Cantonese opera, and the Golden Dragon bears many operatic touches, such as the rainbow colored pompoms on its 6 foot-long head. It is festooned from nose to tail with colored lights, decorated with silver rivets on both scaly sides and trimmed in white rabbit fur. The dragon, made on a skeleton of bamboo and rattan, is in 29 segments. It takes a team of 100 men and women to carry the Golden Dragon. This is also considered an honor to be chosen for the grand finale. Rain or shine, come watch the parade!”

Chinatown Community Street Fair – 2/11/12-2/12/12, SF

Chinatown Community Street Fair

“Become immersed in the sights and sounds of Chinatown. The Chinatown Community Street Fair takes place the weekend of the Chinese New Year Parade and is an opportunity for attendees to experience Chinese cutural arts such as latern and kite making, calligraphy, fine arts demonstrations, folk dance, and puppet shows. Traditional and modern entertainment perform on the main stage thoughout both days. Enjoy colorful folk dance from throughout Asia, acrobats, lion dancing, and magic demonstrations. Attendance at the two day fair is about 500,000. Come be a part of all the fun and magic as well as the incredible “Block of Fortune”"