Chinese New Year Parades in the USpage 3 / 5
The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade
Named on of the world's top ten parades by the International Festivals and Events Association, the San Francisco Chinese New Year parade is the largest event of its kind in North America and the oldest celebration of its kind in the United States. It originated in during the Gold Rush in the 1860's and now includes two major fairs, the Chinese New Year Flower Fair and the Chinatown Community Street Fair.
San Francisco Chinese New Year parade
More than 100 floats will participate in the 2 ½ hour parade and will feature elaborate costumes, dazzling fireworks, and ferocious lions. Aside from Miss Chinatown USA, stilt walkers, martial arts groups, school marching bands and lion dancers, the highlight of the annual San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is the infamous Golden Dragon. The Golden Dragon is over 200 feet long and requires 100 men and women to carry it. The Golden Dragon was made by the Foshan dragon masters in China who are responsible for all of the costumes made for the Cantonese Opera. The Golden Dragon features a six foot long head festooned with rainbow colored pompoms, a dazzling array of lights from head to tail, and white rabbit fur. It always heralds the grand finale of the parade is accompanied by 600,000 firecrackers!