The Mission District, otherwise known as San Francisco’s heart of the Latino community, a barrio that many years ago was home of the Italians, and recently is turning into hip-hub, for the hipsters and techies of course ;-), and not far from the house owned by the guy who owns Facebook, this weekend transforms its streets into places for music, dance, fun and Carnaval! –it is recommended that one forgets about the other stuff, and makes him or herself part of it, What the heck!
The theme this year is –“La Rumba de la Copa Mundial”– Celebration of the World Cup, and it promises to be outstanding. ” You will be thrilled at this year’s Parade, which includes 50+ contingents plus our special guests who are traveling from Guatemala, Danza Maya Raices, who will be performing on a float this year with our Grand Marshall David Campos, along with stage appearances both Saturday and Sunday,” organizers said.
“Carnaval SF ‘La Rumba de La Copa’ is to honor all the people around the world that play soccer cuz its a poor people’s game. Futbol & Carnaval go mano a mano. This year at the Carnaval SF Parade we will have children & youth that play futbol in our Barrio and honor them for keeping our tradition alive and living a healthy life!” wrote Carnaval Extraordinaire Roberto Hernández, and one of its founders.
Whether we live in the Mission or not, whether we are Latinos, or minorities –or not, Carnaval San Francisco is a great opportunity to focus on children, soccer, dance and music, and to celebrate each other, human beings.
In that spirit, I am going!, like many who for many years have been going to see the parade on Sunday morning, or have danced at one of the street concerts and eaten great ethnic food on Saturday.
I own my voice; I claim my place and my right to celebrate Carnaval San Francisco and to say ¡Viva Carnaval!, cherishing everybody there, forgetting about the other stuff, and congratulating the back-then-guys-and-girls who started this street event years ago, for their commitment to keeping it alive!
Text and photos (2012) by Lupita Peimbert.
She is a bilingual writer born in Mexico,
formerly news reporter for Spanish-language
television, radio and print.
She has always wanted to dance
within the parade, but takes writing about it
as consolation.
Lupitanews.com 