At dusk last Saturday, on shiny, rain-slicked streets downtown, the red and blue lights of police cruisers mingled with the glow of streetlamps, peppered by the occasional burst of firecrackers. Scores of people crowded onto bleachers to watch extravagant floats, platoons of elementary schoolers, city and state politicians in convertibles, marching bands, and troupes of lion dancers parade across the mirrored light show. Meanwhile, volunteers in yellow jackets did their best to keep overzealous kids — and members of the press — from running into the road.
It was San Francisco’s annual Chinese New Year parade, and the intermittent drizzle seemed to have no effect on spectators’ spirits. At Market and 2nd streets, attendees watched between sausage vendors as the procession kicked off. Parents perched their kids atop news racks and at least one adventurous onlooker climbed a statue to get a better view.
The parade — which also included stilt-walkers, firefighters, a vivacious brigade of dancing Alaska Airlines flight attendants, and more — bore right on Geary, then snaked back east on Post before making its final turn onto Kearny.
My press pass won me a cozy spot between a generator and some bleachers at the site of this final turn. From there, I was able to watch kids snag fortune cookies passed out by paraders and squeal when lion dancers reached their costume heads into the audience. Judging by their reactions, the Year of the Rabbit is off to a good start.
