Carnaval San Francisco - Love Happens 2007
It’s Carnaval weekend in San Francisco, and that means two days of vibrant, musical, colorful and delicious street celebrations. Join the action on Harrison Street (from 16th to 24th) on both Saturday and Sunday. You’ll find food, art, children’s activities, and seven stages of live entertainment.
- See Carnaval Photos from James Martin, About's Guide to Europe
This year, Los Lonely Boys will be playing the Macy’s stage, as will Salvador Santana. If you’re in need of a salsa groove, head to the Carnaval Dance Pavilion for a few professional pointers. Or, simply enjoy the abundance of tango, samba, mambo, reggae, and cha cha cha –- all on the streets of San Francisco.
Festival Details- Date: May 26 (Saturday) & May 27 (Sunday)
- Hours: 10:00a to 6:00p
- Location: 16th to 24th Streets on Harrison
- Carnaval SF - Entertainment Schedule
The Grand Parade on Sunday is a massive celebration of costume, dance and general revelry. Contingents represent a broad cultural swath, from Caribbean and Polynesian, to African and Mexican Aztec. The parade starts at 24th and Harrison. It threads its way through the crowds on Mission Street, then down to 17th. If getting a seat above the fray is your style, Grand Stand viewing is available for $25/person (tickets are sold online).
Grand Parade Details
- Date: May 27 (Sunday)
- Time: Starts at 9:30a
- Location: Starts at Harrison & 24th – to Mission & 24th – to Mission & 17th
- Map of the Carnaval Parade Route
- Grand Stand Seating & Tickets
If you want to keep the party going after 6:00p, the Independent (628 Divisadero) is hosting two Carnaval Events – one on Saturday, one on Sunday:
- May 26: Brown Note Latin Rock Project's debut concert: Music for Smart PEOPLE
- May 27: Carnaval After Party
Photo © Jim Pire - Courtesy of Carnaval San Francisco 2007
Comments
The hype is very well described in the media, dancing, food and good times were had by all, however the reality is quite different for the residents that live near the Festival & parade grounds of Carnaval SF.
As a result, sadly, our neighborhood no longer welcomes Carnaval and dreads their impending arrival with the annual exodus of residents fleeing the deafening noise, increased crime, public intoxication, lack of parking and garbage that winds up literally in our backyard for four days.
Quality of life issues in the residential neighborhood immediately surrounding the Festival and Parade route, before, during and after Carnaval SF’s Festival & Parade that residents endure include;
1) Excessive noise from seven stages with continuous live music and entertainment including amplification directly in front of or adjacent to residential buildings.
2) Safety concerns from crowded streets with hundreds of thousands of festival attendees.
3) A documented increase in property crimes and crimes against persons (robberies, purse snatchings, stabbing, assaults and fights, gang activity) during the Festival.
4) Lack of consultation and co-operation with the residents from Carnaval Festival organizers, sponsors, vendors and volunteers.
5) Repeated failure by Carnaval organizers and promoters to honor agreements with the residents.
6) Street Closures resulting in denied access to residential buildings for owners, residents and guests.
7) Enforcement of “No Parking” rules established by Carnaval for 49 hours in a residential area with limited off street parking.
8) Unsanitary conditions with litter strewn streets, garbage and food waste from sponsors and vendors.
9) Public intoxication and urination.
Carnaval SF doesn’t own our neighborhood yet Festival organizer and promoters consistently behave as if it is their “right” to do exactly as they please.
Carnaval SF has proven that it cannot behave like a good neighbor by steamrolling their way onto our streets and selling our neighborhood to Comcast, Budweiser and other sponsors that profit from creating havoc on our streets for four days and offering residents nothing in return.
It’s time for Carnaval SF to respect the wishes of the neighborhood it is a GUEST of and move off of Harrison.