The rain and wind couldn’t keep thousands of spectators away from ushering in the Year of the Rabbit during San Francisco’s Chinese New Year parade on Saturday.
Dozens of dancers and floats plied the 1.3-mile parade route from Second and Market Streets through Union Square to Chinatown while fireworks exploded in the soggy streets and the wind turned people’s umbrellas inside out.
The annual parade, which dates back to the 1860s, has become the largest lunar new year parade outside of Asia. Some of the performers included the West Coast Lion Dance Troupe, Matsu Temple USA, Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy, the San Francisco Police Department Lion dance team and many others.
“We didn’t let the rain stop us from having a good time and stop us from celebrating Lunar New Year in San Francisco. This is amazing and this is one of the best parades that happen here,” said parade participant San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
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A group of kids celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Firecrackers light up a Dragon dance performance by members of the San Francisco Police Department Lion dance team as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the Matsu Temple USA celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Firecrackers light up a Dragon dance performance by members of the San Francisco Police Department Lion dance team as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A marching band performs during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A Lion dance troupe performs during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A woman performs a dance as people celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the Matsu Temple USA celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Hyundai Motor America’s float celebrates the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Participants carry the head of a Dragon as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A group of kids celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) An spectator battles against the wind and rain people celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A woman atop a float waves at the crowd as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A woman holds a rabbit plush toy as spectators watch floats and performers as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Members of the Matsu Temple USA celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Spectators watch floats and performers as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Women atop the Caesars Entertainment float wave at the crowd as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A woman performs a dance as people celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) A group of youngsters celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
