Olympian Eileen Gu heads up Chinese New Year parade in her native San Francisco

San Francisco celebrated the Year of the Fire Horse with its annual Chinese New Year parade on Saturday evening, with thousands of revelers cheering local hero and Olympic champion Eileen Gu as grand marshal.

The procession included drumming, dancing and floats celebrating the vibrancy of the Chinese-American community in the oldest celebration of its kind outside of Asia and one of the largest.

Civic leaders and artists marched from downtown to Chinatown setting off firecrackers. Children paraded carrying inflatable horses while lion dancers and martial artists waved to the crowd.

The parade was first organized in the 1860s by Chinese immigrants who came to work during the California Gold Rush and wanted to share their culture through a “favorite American tradition,” the parade, according to the event’s website.

Although the celebration always draws massive crowds, attendees were particularly excited about Gu, who drew loud cheers.

Vanessa Chan, from neighboring South San Francisco, said she represented “cultural infusion.”

“She’s really wonderful… She’s funny, sunny and she represents positivity,” Chan said.

Gu appeared in the middle of the parade in a red dress, sitting in a red convertible adorned with flowers. The color is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity for the Chinese festival.

Parade organizer Wiliam Gee said Gu was chosen for the role in the middle of last year – before competing at the Milan-Cortino 2025 Winter Games, where she won two silver medals and a gold, making her the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history.

“The Year of the Horse brings a lot of new life and energy,” Gee said. “She definitely represents Chinese heritage and is definitely an icon.”

Gu faced scrutiny for her decision to represent China in competition, and Megan Chin, also of South San Francisco, said she felt the Olympian was unfairly attacked.

“When you’re multicultural and you want to celebrate both heritages, it’s great to be happy for someone if they want to celebrate their other heritage as well,” Chin said. “I’m proud of her.”

Calvin Lui, who attended with his young son, said he loved Gu’s portrayal of the city where she was born and raised as well as her Chinese heritage.

“It’s her identity, in both countries, so she gets the best of both worlds,” Lui said.