2017 Chinese Lunar New Year Parade Rings In Year Of The RoosterPhotos: Beth Thomas / Hoodline
Beth Thomas
Published on February 12, 2017

After a long week of rain, yesterday marked one of the last days of Chinese Lunar New Year's festivities here in San Francisco.

Ringing in the Year of the Rooster and the element of fire, the annual Chinatown Street Fair preceded the main attraction—the annual evening parade that winds from the Financial District through Union Square and into Chinatown.

Named one of the top ten parades in the world, the annual event consists of brightly colored floats, elaborate costumes, drums, lanterns, firecrackers, and more, and attracts more than one million people of all ages.

Highlights this year included a 268-foot golden dragon—that snaked through the parade thanks to a team of more than 100 men and women from the martial arts and dance school Leung's White Crane—and Cirque du Soleil performers.

Serving as grand marshal for this year's parade was SFPD Deputy Chief Garrett Tom. And local politicians parading included Mayor Ed Lee, District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim, District Attorney George Gascon and California State Senator Scott Wiener.

Here's a closer look at the day's festivities.