Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Chinese New Year began yesterday. My year - Year of the Rat. It is basically a two week celebration culminating with the big parade. The parade comes up Powell, right to the corner outside the hotel, turns right and goes down Post Street. Below is some information from the website.

2008 Parade Saturday, February 23 5:30 pm

Lunar Year 4706

Over 100 units will participate in the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade. A San Francisco tradition since just after the Gold Rush, the parade continues to delight and entertain the many hundreds of thousands of people that come to watch it on the street or tune in to watch it on television on KTVU Fox 2 or KTSF Channel 26, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Nowhere in the world will you see a lunar new year parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers , and of course the newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court. A crowd favorite is the spectacular 201' Golden Dragon ("Gum Lung") It takes a team of over 100 men and women from the martial arts group, White Crane to carry this dragon throughout the streets of San Francisco. This year's Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade promises to warm your heart and electrify your senses, come rain or shine.

Schedule of Events

Year of the Rat - Lunar Year 4706

February 8-24

February 6-February 24 Daily 10:00am-10:00pm
Chinese New Year Carnival Walter U. Lum Place, Washington & Clay Street
February 7 Thursday Chinese New Year Day
February 16 Saturday 7:30 pm
Miss Chinatown U.S.A. PageantPalace of Fine Arts Theatre 3301 Lyon Street @ Bay, SFChinese Chamber of Commerce 730 Sacramento Street, SF (415) 982-3000 United Commercial Bank 900 Kearny Street, SF (415) 397-8988 (Mon-Sat) Ling Ling Chinese Dress 63 Walter U. Lum Place, SF (415) 981-5608 (Mon-Sat)
$30, $40, $60
For over 55 years, young women from throughout the United States come to San Francisco to compete for prizes and scholarships in the annual Miss Chinatown U.S.A. Pageant. The winners will become goodwill ambassadors for the Chinese community throughout the new year.
February 17 Sunday
Chinese Chamber of Commerce/Chinatown Run 10K/5K Run/WalkYMCA ChinatownContact: Lara Hitchcock at 415 576-96227:00am Pre-Registration at Portsmouth Square 8:00am Race begins at Grant and Sacramento
This event benefits the youth and teens in YMCA programs. Kids are able to participate in seasonal Day Camp, Summer School, Residence Camp, After School Program, and Ballet! Please visit YMCA Chinatown to register on-line and for more information.
February 22 Friday 6:00pm No Host Cocktails 7:00pm DinnerDancing until midnight
Harrah’s Miss Chinatown U.S.A. Coronation Ball San Francisco Hilton & Towers 333 O’Farrell Street, San FranciscoTickets: 415 982-3000
$120
The newly selected Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court will be crowned at the annual Harrah’s Coronation Ball. The black tie dinner/dance, attended by many community leaders, promises to be a highlight of the Lunar New Year festivities.
February 23 Saturday 5:30pm-8:00pm
Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year ParadeMarket and Second Street to Kearny and JacksonLocation of bleachers: Kearny Street (between Sacramento & California and between Pine & Bush) 415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071
Free$30 for bleacher tickets
Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by the IFEA (International Festivals and Events Association), the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated parades in the country. Started in the 1860’s by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Parade and Festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Parade highlights include elaborate decorated floats, costumed elementary school groups, stilt walkers and the 201 foot long Golden Dragon “Gum Lung”.
February 23-24 Saturday 10:00am-4:30pm Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm
Chinese New Year Community Street FairGrant Avenue from California to PacificPacific Avenue from Kearny to StocktonWashington and Jackson Streets from Kearny to Stockton
Free
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of San Francisco’s exhilarating Chinatown during one of the community’s most exciting times of the year. Enjoy dance and music from throughout Asian and experience ancient and modern Chinese arts such as calligraphy, kite making and acrobatics.
February 23-24 Saturday/Sunday11:00am-4:00pm
Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor (Hilton SF/Financial District)Information: 415 986-1822
Free