Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic Vision, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
The slumbering dragon awakened to the delight of hundreds as firecrackers exploded, cymbals clashed, and the percussive beat of drums reverberated throughout San Francisco’s Portsmouth Square.
The joyous ritual on Saturday served as the kickoff to a fortnight of Lunar New Year festivities that concludes with the annual Chinatown parade, a celebration of Chinese culture and community that has also become a symbol of unity for the city’s diverse population.
Young and old, many dressed in red signifying good fortune, joined dignitaries at the square to witness the “Eye Dotting Ceremony’’ that animates the formidable dragon puppet.
For many, like San Francisco resident Lisa Huynh and her children, it was not to be missed. “We bring our little girls because all of this is a big part of our culture, and showing them our yearly traditions is really important,” she said.
The Rev. Norman Fong, who recently retired from emceeing the parade for the past 32 years, said the display of Chinatown’s vibrancy is a critical aspect of the celebrations.
“Participation is empowering,’’ he said. “People that don’t know Chinatown at all, they get to see it. We need positive images of our community, and respect for all that we’ve done to help San Francisco become the great, diverse city that it is. It’s all part of celebrating our true history and contributions to America.’’
The annual San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade dates to the 1860s, when local Chinese immigrants sought to fuse their Lunar New Year celebrations with an American concept, the parade. Since then, the event has grown massively, with an estimated 3 million viewers watching live coverage around the world.
The Lunar New Year cycles through different animal zodiacs every 12 years. This time it is the Year of the Dragon, a mythical creature associated with prosperity, power, and courage.
Over the years, the parade has come to reflect the face of the city by welcoming people to take part no matter their race, ethnicity, or background.
Erik Pepper, one of the performers who held posts inside the dragon at the pre-parade event, appreciated the cross-cultural bonds the parade promotes.
“Usually, you think of the Lunar New Year as a Chinese event,” he said, “but we have performers from all kinds of backgrounds and it’s really lovely to all collaborate together.’’
Frank Herrera, who has held up the dragon in the parade for over four decades, says that the sense of camaraderie is what keeps him coming back year after year.
“I started as a young kid, and it was my friends that convinced me to come out and do it,” Herrera said. “Once you put on our uniform, you’re part of the big group. Everybody helps everybody.”
Natapong Siriwanvattana, who recently moved from Thailand to the United States, came to the kickoff event to connect with the local Chinese community and celebrate Lunar New Year in an unfamiliar way.
“In my hometown, we celebrate Lunar New Year as well,” he said, “but the celebrations are a lot bigger here. I wanted to see a different style, and I think these events are a way to remind us how diverse the community is here.’’
For many outsiders, Chinatown’s festivities serve an important role for the city’s image. State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who attended the event, expressed his hopes that the parade will help showcase the Chinese community in the city.
“These celebrations,” he said, “show the world that San Francisco is a cultural mecca for our Chinese community and the Asian community at large.”
The San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade will begin at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. The 1.3-mile route begins at Second and Market streets, proceeds to Union Square, and ends at Kearney Street and Columbus Avenue.
Ella Polak is a junior at Leland High School in San Jose. Rashel Naranjo Arellano is a sophomore at Eastside College Preparatory School in East Palo Alto.
