by Rómulo Hernández
Let’s Carnaval in SF Carnaval’s King Everett and Queen Kelllita, and below, an unidentified event’s belly dancer, dance at SF City Hall. (Photos by Marvin J. Ramirez)
A colorful preview of Carnaval San Francisco was staged last Friday, the 9th in the imposing stairs of the San Francisco City Hall to announce the initiation of the celebration of its 30th anniversary, to be in the mere heart of the Mission District over Memorial Day weekend, May 24 and 25.
With the sights and sounds of samba, salsa and soca, 2008’s Carnaval’s King Everett and Queen Kellita appeared with part of the dancers that will cheer up the attractive Carnaval parade.
Unlike other parts in the American continent, Carnaval San Francisco takes place at a different date, usually at the end of May. The special guests that attended the City Hall event shared the enthusiasm and celebrated the motto of the holiday “Many Cultures-One Spirit.”
On Saturday, the 24th the annual festival will offer food, crafts, live music, dance and other fun activities and events on several stages. Spanning MISIONeight blocks, the Carnaval SF will take place on Harrison St. between 16th and 24th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Sunday, May 25 the Carnaval Grand Parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of 24th and Bryant streets, where it will proceed west to Mission Street. From there, the parade heads north on Mission down to 17th Street, where it will turn east and flow into the festival area.
Carnaval SF is produced by the Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. (MNC) and is supported by San Francisco Grants for the Arts. Since 1959, the MNC has provided quality programs that promote self-sufficiency and community growth for the Mission District’s children, youth, families and seniors.
