I moved to California 33 years ago.

This is the first time I've ever experinced it.

First I was too young.

Then it was too dangerous.

Then I had children who wouldn't be patient

Yet finally yesterday, on a fluke it happened.

As I sat in the Apple Store in Downtown San Francisco watching an Etsy presentation.  The lady who sat next to me said, "WOW it's getting CRAZY out there.  Everyone is here for the parade."

"Parade, what parade?"

"The Chinese New Year Parade!"

What that is today?  Yep 5:30 on Geary in front of Macy's.

Are you kidding me, I've always wanted to come see this parade.   It used to take place on Grant Street in the middle of Chinatown.  Grant is a very narrow street, firecrackers would be thrown from one side of the street to the other.  (Hence unsafe)  The event has become so popular that the parade was moved to 3 of 4 sides of Union Square.

The stars aligned.  I heard about the parade, I had no other plans, my husband got a CAB and joined me downtown.

We stood from 4:15 - 7:45. The parade got to us at 5:30 and here is a video of the end of the parade at 7:50.

** ***

Yes, those are PACKETS of fire crackers, that shot out and hit those of standing in the front.  Last is the GREAT DRAGON.  This is the Year of the Dragon, looks like it's going to be lucky for me.

Check that off my bucket list.

Susan Goulding, tracy realtor, tracy ca QR Code - Susan Goulding

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© 2011 Susan Goulding

About the Author...This article  was provided bySusan Goulding, a Nationally recognized Realtor and Certified Short Sale & REO Specialist. Search Northern California real estate and homes for sale: www.SusanGoulding.com.   Short Sale information at Short Sale My Tracy Home or Short Sale My Mountain House. Homeowners anywhere in Northern California contact me for more information or visit www.ShortSaleMyTracyHome.com

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91 Comments on I waited 33 years for my first time! Off my Bucket List.

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

FEB
13
2012
1 Featured Post

Great, now I need to add that to my Bucket List!  A few Roman Candles in the cul-de-sac were all I could provide my Chinese Daughters, this year.  :)
4:42pm • #72
578,616 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That is so cool!!!  Good for you and thanks so much for sharing with us.  I love knocking things off my bucket list.
4:46pm • #73
177,133 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Susan,

So cool!

I love those last minute things that just "fall into place".

Love that your marking off your bucket list too!
4:51pm • #74

That is so awesome! Somehow with this being a goal, it found you!
5:30pm • #75
527,835 Points 54 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Susan - good for you!  I love a parade and this one sounds like one to have on THE A LIST!
5:43pm • #76
454,618 Points 15 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Susan, how fortuitous that you just happened to be there for the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco! Love the video of the dragon - it sure is a long one!
5:58pm • #77
265,530 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Called Shot Master

That looks like a lot of fun. Of course if I made it that far, I would probably be inside a restaurant eating a lot of really good Chinese food, and not outside watching a parade.
6:50pm • #78
200,421 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Most likely the spontaneity added to your enjoyment! What a cool thing to do on the spur of the moment!
6:51pm • #79
509,063 Points 13 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

How fun! I love doing bucket list type stuff!  We all need to vacation in our own backyard sometimes!

 
7:02pm • #80
510,888 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What a great event... lucky you to get to see it! I would love to go. Thanks for sharing the video. What a completely intriguing culture!

Gretchen
7:32pm • #81
1,352,557 Points 42 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Susan - I'm glad you finally got a chance to see it.  It took my husband a decade of being in the OC to get over to Catalina Island.
7:52pm • #83
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Looks so fun! You have inspired me to dust off my bucket list and get going.

Thanks for taking the time to share :)
8:59pm • #84
Thats looks like great fun for the crowd. Now you must go back to Grant St. to grab some of that sweet barbecued pork to complete your Chinese New Year party!
9:08pm • #85
152,724 Points 7 Featured Posts

Susan, I hope that your bucket list is long, and your life long enough to see it through till the end. I have not seen the parade, but have long wondered about things like, Year of the Dragon, and my favorite made immortal by Al Stewart, Year of the Cat. Long live the parade!
9:41pm • #86
112,881 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Very cool!  It looked like a really fun event and glad you could see it - and share it with the rest of us!
10:12pm • #87
150,463 Points 2 Featured Posts

Congrats on checking off somthing on your bucket list - even if it was a fluke... sometimes those are the best and most fun.  Fun to see the video.  Here's to a VERY lucky year for you!
10:57pm • #88
866,661 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Brings back a lot of memories.  I live in SF for over 25 years and went to many of the parades.  They also had it at the Marina Green -- area. 
11:31pm • #89
FEB
14
2012
3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I would love to see the Chinese New Year parade in California!! The video makes it seem so amazing! That is one thing I really enjoyed about living on the east coast, Susan! At any time you could see a parade! When I lived in Olympia, Washington they would have parades or races all the time. We even had one race that woke us up in the morning with a cannon blast! Congrats for seeing the Chinese New Year parade!
2:29pm • #90
872,774 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Susan, I had no idea that Chinese New Year was right now! How cool to see the real deal in Chinatown!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sharon
9:05pm • #91
FEB
15
2012

Wow, how cool!
4:15pm • #92

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Tracy, CA

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