San Francisco rang in the Year of the Fire Horse with its annual Chinese New Year parade Saturday night, with 1000’s of revelers cheering on hometown hero and Olympic champion Eileen Gu as its grand marshal.
The procession featured drums, dancing and floats celebrating the vibrancy of the Chinese American neighborhood in the oldest celebration of its form exterior Asia and one of the largest.
Civic leaders and performers paraded from downtown to Chinatown by means of popping firecrackers. Youngsters marched carrying inflatable horses whereas lion dancers and martial artists waved to the crowd.
The parade was first organized in the 1860s by Chinese immigrants who got here to work throughout the California Gold Rush and wished to share their tradition by means of a “favourite American custom,” the parade, in line with the occasion web site.
Whereas the celebration all the time attracts huge crowds, attendees had been particularly excited for Gu, who drew loud cheers.
Vanessa Chan of neighboring South San Francisco stated she represents “cultural infusion.”
“She’s actually great. … She’s humorous, sunny, and he or she represents positivity,” Chan stated.
Gu appeared partway by means of the parade in a purple gown, sitting in a purple convertible adorned with flowers. The colour is an emblem of luck and prosperity for the Chinese vacation.
Parade organizer Wiliam Gee stated Gu was picked for the position by the center of final 12 months — earlier than she competed in the 2025 Milan-Cortino Winter Video games, the place she gained two silver medals and one gold, making her the most embellished freestyle skier in Olympic historical past.
“The 12 months of the horse brings loads of new life and power,” Gee stated. “She positively represents Chinese heritage and positively is an icon.”
Gu has come below scrutiny for her determination to symbolize China in competitors, and Megan Chin, additionally of South San Francisco, stated she felt the Olympian was attacked unfairly.
“Once you’re multicultural and also you need to have a good time each heritages, it’s nice to be pleased for somebody in the event that they need to have a good time their different heritage as nicely,” Chin stated. “I’m proud of her.”
Calvin Lui, who attended together with his younger son, stated he cherished Gu’s illustration of the metropolis the place she was born and raised in addition to her Chinese heritage.
“That’s her id, each international locations — so she will get the greatest of each worlds,” Lui stated.
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