Bay Area/ San Francisco
AI Assisted Icon
Published on January 23, 2025
Actress Joan Chen to Ignite Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco as Grand MarshalSource: jchan7388, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Actress Joan Chen is the star attraction as grand marshal for San Francisco's upcoming Chinese New Year Parade, set to dazzle the streets in the Year of the Snake festivities. Known for her recent film "Dìdi," which premiered at the San Francisco International Film Festival, Chen will spark the ceremonial firecrackers, signifying the parade's grand start on February 15, the SF Chronicle reports.

The Chinatown-based Huaxing Arts Group is prepping for their opening dance right before Joan Chen steps in, and the city is treated to a cascade of floats and performers; meanwhile, Carrie Ann Inaba, notably from "Dancing with the Stars," will wrap up the parade with its signature fireworks, and Mayor Daniel Lurie is anointed honorary marshal, per the same source. To top it off, over 200,000 visitors are expected, as the parade stands as the largest of its kind outside Asia, as detailed by ABC7, which also highlights that the event is not just a cultural spectacle but a boon for local businesses in the area.

A mini procession slated for Saturday will prime the celebrations, with lion dancers and drummers pumping up the energy levels. ABC7 conveyed that Eastern Bakery, hitting its 100-year mark, along with other small businesses, is looking at the festivities as a major revenue generator, underscoring the economic impact the New Year's buzz holds for local commerce.