While in San Francisco a week and a half ago, I was thrilled to be invited to a Chinese New Year Party that included an indoor view of the city’s spectacular Chinese New Year Parade.

A tradition since the 1860’s, this celebration, sponsored this year by Southwest Airlines,was touted as being one of the ten top parades in the world.

It was relatively cold and rainy that night, but approximately 5,000 people participated, making the 100 unit event the largest parade of its kind outside of Asia.

Before the festivities started, we were entertained by Chinese performers.

Then, it was on to watching the parade progress down Kearny Street. The theme was this year’s Chinese zodiac sign, the rabbit. Politicians, marching bands, dancers, and even a float bearing the World Series Trophy won by the San Francisco Giants proudly moved by our windows.

 

After the rain stopped, we left the party a little early to join the crowds.

The end of the celebration was marked by the Golden Dragon which consisted of 29 segments and was carried by a team of 100 men and women.