San Francisco Pride President Nguyen Pham along with other board members, staff, volunteers, and supporters carried the banner officially opening the 53rd Annual SF LGBT Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25.

“Pride was founded as a riot and has since evolved into a celebration, which is a powerful mode of collective resistance,” said Pham. “We are thrilled to be celebrating these most honorable luminaries, all of whom reflect the evolution not only of the makeup of our community, but also of our broader movement and where we’re going. The inclusivity of this group is an uplifting representation of our queer POC community especially. Given the tidal wave of bigotry in red states, namely the record number of anti-queer and anti-trans legislative actions, this cohort of our honorees is at the leading edge of our fight against the hate.”

As in previous years, the Dykes on BikesÒ motorcycle contingent launched from their lineup position from the California & Drumm intersection on Market Street. They were accompanied by participants riding scooters, bicycles, and more. Kate Brown, Ph.D., who is the Dykes on Bikes President, and other officers led the way as the first to complete the route. Accompanying the contingent was their legendary service vehicle, the “K. Anne Rickertsen Memorial Helmet Truck,” fully staffed by its volunteer team.

• Photo by Rink
• Photo by Rink
• Photo by Rink
• Photo by Rink

Also appearing early in the Parade were the Resistance Contingent and contingents representing Congressional, California State Legislature, and City of San Francisco elected officials and department leaders; and vehicles transporting the 2023 SF Pride Parade Grand Marshals.

• Photo by Rink
• Photo by Rink
• Photo by Rink

Upon completing the Parade route, participants were welcomed to the turning point at 8th Street by Suzanne Ford, SF Pride Executive Director, and a core of dedicated Parade volunteers.

Click to Enlarge

http://www.sfprideorg

Published on July 13, 2023

The post San Francisco Delight Parade 2023 – ‘Wanting Again and Transferring Ahead’ – San Francisco Bay Occasions appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

San Francisco celebrated its 53rd annual Pride Parade with nearly a million people on Sunday.

The theme of this year’s parade was “Looking Back and Looking Forward”. The San Francisco Pride Parade marched down Market Street from the Embarcadero to the celebration at the Civic Center.

In addition to San Francisco, events in New York and Chicago are among the events being hosted by around 400 Pride organizations across the US this year, with many focusing specifically on transgender people’s rights.

One of the largest and most well-known LGBTQ+ celebrations in the United States, San Francisco’s Pride Parade drew tens of thousands of spectators to the city on Sunday.

The event, created by group Dykes on Bikes, featured dozens of colorful floats, some carrying powerful messages against the wave of anti-transgender laws in state houses across the country.

Organizers told the San Francisco Chronicle that this year’s theme places an emphasis on activism. The parade was also attended by the country’s first drag award winner, D’Arcy Drollinger.

“When we go through the world in a more authentic and fabulous way, we inspire everyone,” said Drollinger at a breakfast before the parade.

Along Market Street, Speaker Emeritus of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank were spotted driving together. San Francisco Mayor London Breed and California Attorney General Rob Bonta also attended the parade on Sunday.

A couple made the extra trip from Orlando, Fla., to attend Sunday’s parade.

“They said it felt safe and joyful to celebrate pride in San Francisco at a time when gay and trans rights are under attack in Florida and other states,” said John Seigel of Orlando. “Why would you hate someone who loves someone?” he said.

Other parade participants said this year’s Pride march is meaningful because there are fewer safe places to be outside and proud these days.

“The way things are right now, people who attack drag queens and transgender people are supposed to be drag queens drag queens,” said Alexandra Hampton of Los Angeles. “Quite literally, it’s just nice to see them at the parade as authentically as they are without having to worry about someone beating them up. We’re all one community here.”

The Associated Press contributed to the report.

The post San Francisco Satisfaction Parade attracts a crowd of tons of of 1000’s – NBC Bay Space appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Spectators paused from their morning walks or jogs to the Ferry Building Farmers’ Market to snap photos of classic Skylark, Mustang and Cutlass cars lined up along Spear Street and Market Street. Black members of the Fo’Fifteen Car Club were ready by 10 a.m. and waiting to take part in San Francisco’s first Juneteenth parade through downtown.

In partnership with the non-profit organization Livable City, organizers based in Bayview and Fillmore were able to bring the procession to the city’s streets. Livable City is best known for Sunday Streets, a citywide campaign bringing a day of car-free streets and free, family-friendly fun activities to different parts of the city.

Funded by

The 1.5-mile parade began at around 11 a.m. at Market and Spear and moved toward Civic Center Plaza while unmistakably displaying the pride and joy of Black people, something of its size and scale on the streets of San Francisco is rarely seen.

Thousands of people gathered to watch the parade of black families, organizations and neighbors. Mayor London Breed led the parade in a classic cable car. The parade kicked off several weeks of events honoring the hard-won legacy of black freedom, both past and present.

Juneteenth refers to June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery. Over 250,000 blacks were still enslaved when soldiers arrived on the Texas plantations to end the Confederate occupation of the region.

A parade goer holds a flag at the Juneteenth parade on Saturday. | Eloise Kelsey

Many Bay Area cities celebrated the holiday for the first time in 2022. The day of celebration — also known as Freedom Day, Liberation Day, or Jubilee Day — was separated in San Francisco’s Bayview and Fillmore counties celebrated for over 70 years. Saturday’s parade was a show of inter-county solidarity, uniting the city’s small but powerful black community.

With ongoing reports of San Francisco’s declining black population, the Juneteenth Parade has another meaning for the black community — it’s a symbol of resilience.

State and local officials were present to support the parade, including State Senator Scott Wiener, who waved to the crowd from a green skylark; City Treasurer Jose Cisneros, who nodded his head as he was chauffeured in a black Buick Regal; and Superintendent Myrna Melgar, who rode a bicycle and wore bright green feathers in her helmet.

The sounds of San Francisco rappers San Quinn, RBL Posse, StunnaMan02 and Larry June rang out from floats, motorcycles and vintage cars as they passed Powell Street. KBLX-FM 102.9 radio station host Antoine Davis introduced each float and parade participant, including black firefighters, motorcycle officers from the San Francisco Police Department and EMTs.

The inaugural parade also signals San Francisco visitors and residents that June 19 is a culturally significant holiday for the city, as do the annual Pride celebrations held in June each year and Chinatown’s New Year celebrations in February.

Dancers from the Lyric Performing Arts Center and Feline Finesse Dance Company demonstrated their moves. Performers from the African American Shakespeare Company, dressed in costumes from their recent production of Cinderella, walked in front of the Oakland Black Cowboy Association. Admiringly, the children gathered around a little pony led by club president Wilbert F. McAlister.

The procession returned to the Ferry Building for “Juneteenth on the Waterfront,” as part of a series titled “Pop-Ups on the Plaza,” which showcased black-owned shops and food. The events are organized by Foodwise and MegaBlack SF. Saturday’s event featured a Foodwise classroom entitled Black Chefs and Wine Makers Talk.

A wide variety of food vendors served the fair, including ribs from Lil’ Alijo Catering & Events, Mo’Raysha’s lobster mac & cheese and drinks from The Lemonade Bar. Gumbo Social, which recently opened its brick-and-mortar location in Bayview, was featured with its signature savory gumbo present.

At the end of the parade route there were neither speeches nor grand gestures. For many, the first Juneteenth Parade in San Francisco was an opportunity to experience San Francisco and the black community of the greater Bay Area in authentic and indigenous celebration, despite the holiday’s origins in desperation.

The parade was just the beginning of the celebration of black justice and liberation. Breed will host the official ceremony at San Francisco City Hall on Friday, followed by a week of celebrations. Activities take place across the city, including the 73rd annual Fillmore Juneteenth Freedom Festival on Saturday, which features eight blocks full of family-friendly activities, performances, games and rides. The Bayview Juneteenth celebration takes place at Gilman Park on Sunday.

The post San Francisco’s First Citywide Parade Celebrating Black Liberation Kicks Off Juneteenth Festivities appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Community Youth Center members perform dragon dance while celebrating the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

The rain and wind couldn’t stop thousands of spectators from ringing in the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco on Saturday.

Dozens of dancers and floats paraded the 1.3-mile parade route from Second Street and Market Street through Union Square to Chinatown as firecrackers exploded in the damp streets and the wind blew people’s umbrellas upside down.

Dating back to the 1860s, the annual parade has grown into the largest Lunar New Year parade outside of Asia. Performers included the West Coast Lion Dance Troupe, Matsu Temple USA, Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy, the San Francisco Police Department Lion Dance Team, and many others.

“We didn’t let the rain stop us from having a good time and celebrating Lunar New Year in San Francisco. This is amazing and one of the best parades happening here,” said San Francisco parade attendee London Breed.

Click Here if you cannot see the photo gallery on your mobile device.

A group of children celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Firecrackers light up a dragon dance performance by members of the San Francisco Police Department’s Lion Dance Team as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday February 4, 2023. The ( Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Members of Matsu Temple USA celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Firecrackers light up a dragon dance performance by members of the San Francisco Police Department’s Lion Dance Team as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday February 4, 2023. The ( Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A marching band performs during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A lion dance troupe performs during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A woman performs a dance as people celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Members of Matsu Temple USA celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Hyundai Motor America’s car celebrates the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Participants wear a dragon’s head as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A group of children celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A spectator fights against wind and rain. People celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A woman on a float waves to the crowd as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A woman holds a rabbit plushie as spectators watch floats and performers celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area Newsgroup)
Members of Matsu Temple USA celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Spectators watch floats and performers celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Women on the Caesars Entertainment float wave to the crowd as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A woman performs a dance as people celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, California on Saturday February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A group of youth celebrate the Year of the Rabbit during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Memorial Day sale

Your email address is already registered. Please subscribe to The Mercury News to continue.

$3 for 1 year unlimited digital access

Get this offer

Already a subscriber? Registration

For more information, see The Mercury News

The post Pictures from Rain would not dampen San Francisco’s Chinese language New 12 months parade appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Sports // Golden State Warriors

Charles Russo/SFGATE

June 20, 2022Updated: June 21, 2022 11:18 am

Having four parades in eight years hasn’t gotten any less exciting for the Golden State Warriors and their fans.

Before sunrise, Warriors fans were already lining up along Market Street in San Francisco to claim their spots for the NBA championship parade.

Klay Thompson waves from atop a bus during the Warriors victory parade on Market Street, on Monday June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Warriors star Andrew Wiggins leaves his bus to interact with fans on Market Street, during the victory parade on Monday, June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Stephen Curry leaves his bus during the Warriors victory parade to interact with fans on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Warriors star Jordan Poole crosses Market Street to shake hands with spectators as the parade route begins to swarm with fans who breached the barricades.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr opens a bottle of champagne from atop his bus during the team’s victory parade down Market Street, on Monday, June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Forward Jonathan Kuminga during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Forward Gary Payton II poses for a photo holding a bottle of Moet champagne during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green holds a bottle of Lobos Tequila during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Otto Porter Jr., right, takes a drink of Moët champagne as he proceeds down Market Street with Klay Thompson, during the Warriors victory parade, on Monday June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Forward Juan Toscano-Anderson throws a signed rally towel to fans during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

The route started at Market and Main and extended down to 8th Street, and people were stacked a dozen deep trying to catch a glimpse of their favorite players.

Players were placed high on buses, but many jumped down during the course of the parade to interact with fans one-on-one.

Javier Caldera of Hayward brought his goat, Curry, to the Warriors victory parade on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Forward Gary Payton II poses with fans during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Golden State Warriors fans line up along the Market Street route before the team’s victory parade on June 20, 2022 in San Francisco.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Golden State Warriors fans line up along the Market Street route before the team’s victory parade on June 20, 2022 in San Francisco.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Warriors fans hold signs during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A couple of fans enjoy the “Poole Party” during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A fan wears crocs adorned with Klay Thompson stickers during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A woman holds up four fingers for the four Golden State Warriors champions before the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

San Francisco Mayor London Breed during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A fan holds a Kay Thompson head cutout during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A fan holds a Dub Nation flag during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Fans hustle towards Market street to get a spot on the parade route, on Monday June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Warriors General Manager Bob Meyers hi-five fans during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Center James Wiseman claps during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A fan climbs a tree to watch the action during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Fans react to Stephen Curry as his bus passes them during the Warriors victory parade on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Stephen Curry shows off some championship hardware, during the Warriors victory parade, on Monday, June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Warriors fans celebrate as head coach Steve Kerr passes them on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Fans pack every inch of Market Street, during the Warriors victory parade, on Monday, June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Fans react to Klay Thompson as his bus passes them during the Warriors victory parade on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Fans react to Stephen Curry as his bus passes them during the Warriors victory parade on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Klay Thompson waves to the crowd during the Warriors victory parade on Market Street, as fans swarmed the throughfare around his bus, on Monday June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Katie Dowd is the SFGATE managing editor.

Charles Russo is the Senior Editor, Photography & Design for SFGATE. You can reach him at Charles.Russo@sfgate.com

Douglas Zimmerman is an Online Photo Editor and Photographer for SFGATE. He also oversees SFGATE’s Instagram and on occasion covers the SF Bay Area soccer scene. Zimmerman worked as a staff photographer for the LA Times Community Newspapers, photo editor for Fortune.com, and a photo producer for NYTimes.com. You can reach him via email at dzimmerman@sfgate.com

The post The very best images from the Warriors championship parade in San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

PIX NowHere’s the latest from the KPIX newsroom. (2-19-22)

3 hours ago

Thousands Crowd SF Chinatown for New Year Festival and ParadeAfter a 2-year hiatus, the San Francisco Chinese New Year festival and parade brought tens of thousands to the city Saturday for a triumphant return from a pandemic depression. Max Darrow reports. (2-19-22)

4 hours ago

On Day of Remembrance, Bay Area Internment Camp Survivor Looks BackSouth Bay resident Alice Hikido was just 9 and living in Alaska when she was forced to move to a Japanese-American internment camp in Idaho with most of her family. Shawn Chitnis reports. (2-19-22)

4 hours ago

Parents, Teachers Outraged at Oakland School Board Closure PlanA plan to close schools in Oakland has ignited massive protests throughout the community and a special meeting meant to cool things off may have just thrown more fuel onto the fire. John Ramos reports. (2-19-22)

4 hours ago

Bear Known as ‘Hank the Tank’ Terrorizes Lake Tahoe NeighborhoodA wild 500-pound black bear broke into a home in South Lake Tahoe and this isn’t the first time, police said. Velena Jones reports. (2-19-22)

4 hours ago

First Alert Weather Saturday Evening ForecastGet ready for a cool-down says meteorologist Darren Peck. (2-19-22)

5 hours ago

PIX NowSaturday morning headlines from the KPIX newsroom

16 hours ago

First Alert Weather Saturday Morning ForecastCool, clear for the holiday weekend

16 hours ago

San Francisco Paralympian Credits Mother for His Will to WinThis Black History Month, KPIX profiles a San Francisco man who never let his disability stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional basketball player. Maria Cid Medina reports. (2-18-22)

23 hours ago

SF Chinatown Eager for Return of New Year Celebrations, ParadeAfter a pandemic hiatus, San Francisco Chinatown’s annual Lunar New Year festival and parade is coming back. Sara Donchey reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

Oakland School Board Votes to Proceed With Planned Campus ClosuresAt a heated online meeting Friday night, the Oakland school board voted to go ahead with plans to close or truncate a number of schools this year despite community opposition. Betty Yu reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

PIX NowHere’s the latest from the KPIX newsroom. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

SF Chinatown Banks on New Year Parade to Boost BusinessThe Chinese New Year parade returns to San Francisco this weekend and business owners are hopeful it will help bring life back to the neighborhood. Max Darrow reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

Federal Study Calls San Jose BART Extension Estimate UnrealisticThe feds have weighed in on the BART tunnel project in San Jose and say VTA calculations were “illogical” and “highly risky.” Kiet Do reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

Outraged in Oakland: Vehicles Abandoned in Middle of Busy StreetOakland business owners are frustrated at what they say is an illegal homeless encampment being used as a chop shop. Da Lin reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

Historic Pipe Organ Steals the Show at San Jose ChurchA Baptist church in San Jose is breathing new life into a century-old movie theater pipe organ. Len Ramirez reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

First Alert Weather Friday Night ForecastMeteorologist Paul Heggen has the weekend forecast. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

Exhibition at Tanforan Marks 80th Anniversary of Japanese InternmentOn the 80th anniversary of the Japanese-American internment, a Peninsula exhibition raises awareness of the Bay Area’s role in that dark chapter in American history. Allen Martin reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

Suspect Arrested in Napa Area Shooting, CarjackingThe Napa County Sheriff’s Office said 42-year-old Tuong Nguyen was being held on attempted murder, carjacking and a felon in possession of firearm charges. Shawn Chitnis reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

Raw Video: Father, Son Attacked In Oakland’s Chinatown(WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO) Video has surfaced of a father and son being attacked by a man who yelled racial slurs at them in Oakland’s Chinatown earlier this month. (2/18/22)

1 day ago

New Focus on Domestic Crisis Centers After Fatal Pleasanton Police ShootingThursday’s fatal police shooting in Pleasanton shines a light on domestic violence and crisis centers that stand ready to help. Juliette Goodrich reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

Biden Says He Thinks Putin Has Decided to Invade UkrainePres. Biden says he is “convinced” that Russia president Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine and that attack could come in the next few days. Skyler Henry reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

Oakland School Officials Set to Address Resistance to Planned ClosuresThe Oakland Unified School District board will have a meeting Friday evening to address fallout over planned school closings. Jocelyn Moran reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

Napa Police Investigate Friday Carjacking, ShootingNapa police are investigating a shooting that caused a big traffic backup on Highway 29. It was followed minutes later by a carjacking. Shawn Chitnis reports. (2-18-22)

1 day ago

The post Hundreds Crowd SF Chinatown for New Yr Pageant and Parade – CBS San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) – San Francisco Pride announced this week it will return to in-person events this June for the first time since the pandemic as the nonprofit also prepares for a change in leadership this year.

“I think what stands out for me about my time here at San Francisco Pride is being really heartened by the resilience of our community of the ways we have consistently faced challenges with love and compassion,” said Outgoing Executive Director Fred Lopez.

READ MORE: Richmond Police Seek Suspect In Violent McDonald’s Drive-Thru Assault

Lopez was in charge of the organization for the past two years, overseeing its journey through the COVID-19 pandemic. While the search for his successor continues, Suzanne Ford will take on that role in an interim basis.

“We’re going to step back into our greatness and we’re going to let the world know that the queer community is resilient in San Francisco and San Francisco Pride is at the center of that,” Ford told KPIX 5 on Thursday.

Community leaders say the return of a celebration in person will benefit the whole city. One estimate calculated that $357 million was generated for all of San Francisco over the two days of Pride weekend, according to the Castro Community Benefit District.

“Pride has always been a little bit like Christmas for the Castro as far as the small businesses go,” said Andrea Aiello, the executive director of the Castro CBD. “We’re back, we’re moving forward.”

READ MORE: Oakland School Board Votes to Proceed With Planned Campus Closures

While the benefit for the city is clear, the Castro District expects to see a much needed bounce for businesses who have struggled during the pandemic. Those who are located in the neighborhood say they are eager to have a safe and successful Pride celebration in 2022.

“This I think is a necessary thing for the community, to remember what it’s like to live life, and to get through the pandemic, we’ve come along way in the past two years,” said Paul Perretta, one of the owners of hot cookie “I’m a firm believer that in person is always better when it comes to celebrating with others.”

Some question if this is the right move at this time, hoping it will be safe but wonder if more time is needed to assess the current state of the pandemic.

“Bringing hundreds of thousands of people together seems a little premature,” said Louis Knox, a San Francisco resident. “I say baby steps, I say baby steps and evaluation, baby steps and evaluation because you see we’ve been here before, this is not the first time we’ve had a ‘reopening’ only to find out it’s a ‘reclosing. ‘”

Pride Weekend will be June 25 – 26 with “Love Will Keep Us Together” as the 2022 theme. Organizers say they will have more specific details to announce in another month. They hope people will donate to the organization or become a member to help fund their work.

MORE NEWS: UPDATE: Suspect Arrested In Highway 29 Shooting, Napa Carjacking

“Everybody from the city who wants to say ‘Hey, San Francisco is open and we’re ready’ to accept people from all over the world who want to experience that sense of community and acceptance that San Francisco is known for,” Lopez said .

The post SF Delight Parade Returning To The Streets Of San Francisco – CBS San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Some major events are returning to San Francisco, including the Lunar New Year Parade and Pride.

Organizers are happy to hold events or parades again and believe it could be an emotional return for some.

“It’s just the general consensus that the way things look at this moment that we’re going to be out on Market Street,” said Suzanne Ford.

After the pandemic canceled big in-person events, the LGBTQ+ pride celebration and parade plans to return in June.

Ford is interim executive director of San Francisco Pride and said bringing visibility to the community is important.

“I think it’s going to be one of the emotional outpourings you’ve ever seen in the city of San Francisco,” said Ford. “I really think people have a deep hunger to be together on pride weekend.”

They’re working to safely shape the celebration.

“We will be working with the city and we will make sure that our community is safe and we’re working hand in hand with any city guidelines that they issue,” said Ford.

Lunar New Year celebrations are underground too. The parade will once again wind its way through the streets this weekend in San Francisco.

It’s happening as the omicron surge fades and after indoor mask rules have eased.

The St. Patrick’s Day parade also plans to return and so does Off The Grid’s weekly Fort Mason Food Truck Market.

“It signals to me that we’re getting through this pandemic because of our vaccination rates we are not seeing the number of fatalities that we have in the past and we’re definitely in a better place,” said Mayor London Breed. “I’m really excited about what this means for San Francisco.”

But does that mean the city can stay the course?

“Well I hope so and the more people that get vaccinated and boosted will help to put us in a situation that would ease even more restrictions I think for now I think we’re doing pretty good it doesn’t mean we won’t see another surge or more challenges in the future,” said Breed.

Meantime, plans for celebrations and some normalcy are moving ahead.

The post Lunar New Yr, Delight Parade Returning to San Francisco – NBC Bay Space appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Light rain fell over North Bay on Sunday morning, with more rain for the San Francisco Bay Area as two weak storms are expected to sweep the area, the National Weather Service reported.

These storms will not come close to the strength of the recent atmospheric river that soaked Northern California on Oct. 24, but they will keep conditions humid in an arid region plagued by drought and wildfires.

“Historically, we would be at the height of the fire season and it’s nice not to have to deal with it,” said Ryan Walbrun, a forecaster with the Weather Service.

A system in the north cut off the north bay this morning and brought unexpected drizzle that will subside later in the morning. Shortly after 7 a.m., the weather service reported that Mount Tamalpais had also registered 0.39 inches of rain in the past 24 hours. “The sequoias are happy,” said the weather service.

That rain came after Mount Marin County recorded nearly 17 inches of rain in the atmospheric river event last Sunday.

“Generally the trend this year is system over-performance and we are seeing that this morning in North Bay where we continue to get light rain,” said Walbrun.

The next storm system is expected to arrive on Monday morning, move south towards the Central Coast on Monday afternoon and deliver light to moderate rainfall.

The weather service released forecast rainfall totals for the event on Monday: 0.5 to 1 inches in San Rafael, 0.25 to 0.50 inches in San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, and 0.1 to 0.25 inches in Livermore and San Jose .

From Tuesday to Wednesday afternoon it should be mild and dry. Another weak storm, similar in force to Monday, will increase the likelihood of light to moderate rainfall from Wednesday night to Thursday.

“I would describe it as a normal pattern with some chance of rain,” said Walbrun. “We don’t expect a lot of wind because there aren’t any strong systems. We don’t expect temperature fluctuations. They’ll come through quickly and bring some rain in the preseason. That’s good news.”

Drought is expected next weekend.

The post Soggy parade of weak storms to deliver extra rain to San Francisco Bay Space appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE, Italy – They marched through the cobblestone streets waving high brushes like batons, a peppy – if sooty – group that occasionally shouted: “spazzacaminooooooo”, Italian for chimney sweeps (with a few additional o’s for emphasis).

Along the parade route, children stopped plastic bags in hopes of catching gifts from the chimney sweeps as they passed. Some were given candy while others rushed at needles, buttons, pencils, and even potatoes that were tossed into the crowd.

The adults were given dirty two-handed caresses that left few clean faces among the front row spectators along the way.

The festival is a time of celebration and attracts thousands of tourists to the town in the Vigezzo Valley near the Swiss border. But neither the cleanups nor the local residents have forgotten the past horrors of a dirty and dangerous business that depended on child exploitation. Memories of poverty and humiliation weigh heavily on those old enough to remember them.

“When the event started in the 1980s, few locals attended because they were ashamed,” said Claudio Cottini, the mayor of Santa Maria Maggiore.

The city’s identity has long been linked to commerce. The local chimney sweep museum shows a map from the 16th century.

Then, and for centuries afterwards, the families from this area were so poor that many had their sons work as chimney sweeps when they were 6 or 7 years old. It was one mouth less to feed.

The children who became “padroni” or master sweepers in teaching and word of mouth from their lives tell sobering stories of abuse and misery.

“That’s where the term ‘light a fire under the bum’ comes from: If the children weren’t working fast enough, the masters would say, ‘Hurry up or I’ll make a fire in the grate,'” says Diane Pilger of Long Island, NY, the former President of the National Chimney Sweep Guild in the United States. She attended this year’s festival with her husband John and daughter Krista, both sweeps.

Purposely malnourished to keep them lean, the young sweepers were forced to climb up narrow chimneys and scrape elbows and knees while scrubbing smoldering soot from the sides of a chimney. They traveled to distant lands for insignificant pay. Beatings were the order of the day.

“They were despised, humiliated and abused, but they made enormous sacrifices to send money home to help their families,” said Anita Hofer, vice president of the Italian National Chimney Sweepers Association and organizer of the festival.

The fate of the chimney sweeps, said Ms. Hofer, is not much different from that of thousands of African migrants who have dared a dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean in recent years to create a better life in Europe.

“Moving to another country to escape poverty is one of the hardest things possible,” she said, adding that many Italians, whose history is full of emigrants, have lost sight of it. “We should be more understanding because our ancestors had similar experiences.”

Every year visitors make a pilgrimage together in the nearby town of Malesco to the statue of Faustino Cappini, a 12-year-old sweeper who was electrocuted in 1929 when he stuck his hand out of a chimney and accidentally touched an electric wire. It was common for children to signal to their masters that they had cleaned the smoke vent to the tip.

Such tragedies are now largely a thing of the past. Technology, modern chimneys, and strict safety and certification regulations have made cleaning a much less dangerous job. And chimney sweeps can still find work.

“We have 2.6 million saunas in Finland,” says Juha Tuomi, a Finn who has been sweeping for 46 years, “and many are wood-fired.”

These changes have helped locals grapple with the uglier aspects of their history and explain how a trade tied to Dickens’ distress stories is the inspiration for a happy festival today.

“Over time, it becomes something to be proud of,” said Mayor Cottini. “It is now recognized that this land gave our ancestors a craft, and we honor that.”

The American contingent of the festival numbered 38, one of the largest groups, but a far cry from the 420 German sweepers who marched in the parade with a samba band.

All sweeps wore their fanciest, fanciest, mostly black best, even though the September sun provided summery temperatures.

The Swiss adorned their necks with bright red scarves. The Japanese wore stylish kimono-style jackets, while the Scots wore kilts. Contrary to the fashion trend, the Dutch were dressed in white, reminiscent of the time when they cleaned chimneys for their royal houses. Top hats were popular.

“It really all started here,” said Rosanna Ramoni, a local resident and leader of the parade. “This is the place of the heart, of its roots.”

While the parade boosts the local economy, the area is far more affluent today than it was when it sent chimney sweeps around the world.

Tourists flock at other times of the year to admire the frescoed facades and commercial art galleries of Santa Maria Maggiore, capitalizing on the Vigezzo Valley’s reputation as the “Valley of Painters”. The wealth also comes from Switzerland, where many locals commute and earn significantly higher wages than in Italy.

When the parade ended, the best national identities fraternized and the Scots marched with the Russians; the Japanese were bombarded with requests for photos; and a local sweeper, Livio Milani, scurried across the roof of the old town hall to wave an Italian flag. It was a happy moment.

“That is the picture that you have to take home with you,” said Ms. Ramoni to the cheers of the sweepers and spectators.

The post A Chim Chiminey Parade Honors Sweeps and Remembers Previous Horrors appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.