Chinese New Year 2009 at San Francisco

The Year of the Rat has had many auspicious moments. Soon, as we sadly part, we move on to the next Chinese New Year cycle. We will soon approach the Year of the Ox, occurring during the Chinese New Year. This Chinese New Year, in San Francisco, includes many themes and surprises that incorporate the spirit of the ox. Each twelve years there is a cycle of 12 animals that makeup the Zodiac. Historically, the year of the ox signifies fortitude. It is a year that signifies power, leadership, and represents great achievers. It is in the 2nd position of the Chinese Zodiac. Notable celebrities that are included within the year of the ox are Bach, Van Gogh, Walt Disney, and Charles Chaplin.

Since 1958, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce has been directing the operations of the parade. These festivities were started in the 1860's by the Chinese of San Francisco, educating the community of San Francisco about Chinese culture. Community Groups involved with this year's Chinese New Year Celebration include Culture Center, Chinatown YMCA, SF Symphony, CHSA, and Asian Art Museum.

One of the many highlights of this celebration is The Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair, which also includes a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. This starts Saturday, January 24, 2009 and ends on Sunday, January 25, 2009. Fruits and flowers, as well as many other foods, are available for sale at the Flower Fair. These fruits symbolize abundant happiness and great success for the oncoming year.

Some of the other events scheduled for this year's festival and parade include the Miss Chinatown USA Pageant and Miss Chinatown USA Coronation Ball. Miss Chinatown originated in 1948 and was later combined, in 1953, with the Chinese New Year Festival. Each year, the winners spread the goodwill of the Chinese community through the entire lunar year.

Besides the Miss Chinatown USA events, there are also the Chinese New Year Community Street Fair, Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade, and Chinese Chamber of Commerce/Chinatown YMCA Run/Walk. The YMCA programs' youth and teens will benefit from this event. Altogether, these events start at January 24, 2009 and continue until February 15, 2009.

January 31, Saturday at 10 am is when the Chinese New Year Basketball Jamboree begins! Teams from San Francisco Middle Schools and various San Francisco Chinese-American communities will hold six basketball games in celebration of the Year of the Ox. Let the mightiest of basketball players reign supreme.

The Southwest Chinese New Year parade held on Saturday, February 7, 2009, has bleacher seat tickets available for sale. Bleacher seats are available for $30.00 per ticket. There is a 10% discount on group purchases of 10 tickets or more. This excludes an $8.00 service charge on the entire order of tickets. Children under the age of 2 are allowed free admission. Please seat them on an adult guardian's or parent's lap. Tickets can be purchased online, or by phone. Tickets are non-refundable. Public transportation is suggested as the best method to get to the parade.