Carnaval takes over San Francisco's Mission District with return of parade
SAN FRANCISCO – With dancers wearing two-foot-tall headdresses exploding with red and gold feathers as they move to pounding percussion, the Carnaval Parade brings its celebration of Brazilian, Caribbean, Mexican Aztec, African and a panoply of other cultures in San Francisco's Mission District.
The 44th Annual Carnaval San Francisco Grand Parade and Festival took to the streets Sunday after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The parade kicked off at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of 24th and Bryant streets with a procession of 160 colorful lowriders, many rolling on three wheels or bouncing down the street on their hydraulics.
The procession sambas on down to Mission Street, then north on Mission to 15th Street, east on 15th and concludes at Van Ness.
The festival follows on Harrison Street between 16th and 24th streets in San Francisco's Called 24 Latino cultural district. Admission is free.
San Francisco is known for its diversity, and nothing reflects it better than Carnaval. Brazilian-style escola samba schools with up to 300 members dance in headdresses or sweeping Bahia skirts, while Caribbean contingents share the music and dance of the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Trinidad.
Other parade groups include Mexican Aztec performers, traditional African drummers, Polynesian dancers, Japanese drummers, giant puppets and folkloric groups representing Guatemala, Honduras and Bolivia.
This year's festival has some new touches: a permitted cannabis garden, a new tech and gaming pavilion and a LGBTQI+ dedicated stage.
Headliner Momotombo SF closed out the entertainment at Carnaval Sunday evening. The 10-piece Latin rock band got the crowd dancing. Its members came from legendary bands Malo or Santana.
Sunday's closing set was extra special because it was a homecoming. All of Momotombo SF's members are from the Bay Area.
People of different generations could be seen enjoying the sounds.
"Just being out here and being able to see it was really nice and fun and enjoyable, and just being able to see everyone dance through their own culture was just nice," said Breezy Ochoa of San Francisco.
"It's been amazing. So much culture, so much food, so much energy," said Andres Ortiz of Redwood City. "It feels great just seeing people interact with each other."
"We had some friends that told us you gotta go. There's lots of music and shopping and people are dressed up so beautifully, so we're excited to be here," said Olivia Trevino of Berkeley.
The crowds also meant big business for vendors like the Kabob Trolley food truck which ran out of food Sunday evening.
They sold five times the amount of orders they normally do on a regular business day.
"The crowd was amazing. They love the food. We have special menu too for today," said manager Yasir Wesa.