California’s Largest Annual Multi-Cultural Celebration May 23 – 24

Carnaval Grand Parade May 24

SAN FRANCISCO – The drumbeat of change in 2009 will have a decidedly Latin rhythm at the Carnaval San Francisco 2009 Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 – May 24.  Themed “Roots of Revival: Seeds of Change,”

Carnaval San Francisco 2009 is a vibrant multi-cultural festival packed with sizzling live entertainment, beautiful arts and crafts and flavorful fare. With something for everyone who loves Latin American and Caribbean cultures, Carnaval San Francisco 2009 is California’s largest multi-cultural celebration, and one of San Francisco’s most popular and cherished traditions.   Carnaval San Francisco 2009 showcases the very best of Latin American and Caribbean cultures with a dynamic array of food, music, drumming, dancing, live music, and artistry, including works created by the talented community of Mission District residents and Bay Area artists.

The Carnaval San Francisco Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Located on Harrison Street, between 16th and 22nd streets, the Carnaval San Francisco Festival will offer food, music, dance, art, crafts and other fun activities and events on several stages for the entire family to enjoy.

The world famous Carnaval Grand Parade is on Sunday, May 24 starts 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’s Grand Parade is a unique multi-cultural event that celebrates the traditions of many countries and cultures around the world. The floats are spectacular, the music and costumes lavish and varied. Beautifully designed floats depict rich multi-cultural themes, and feature musicians, dancers and other performers that excite and entertain the crowds.

Carnaval San Francisco was conceived over 30 years ago by a group of local musicians, artists and residents eager to bring the spirit of Latin American and Caribbean cultures to San Francisco.  Carnaval San Francisco 2009 is a benefit for Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc., produced by Rita Barela Productions, Inc. and is supported by San Francisco’s Grants for the Arts. Since 1959, the Mission Neighborhood Centers has provided quality programs that promote self-sufficiency and community growth for the Mission District’s children, youth, families and seniors.

For more information and current updates about Carnaval San Francisco 2009, please visit http://www.carnavalsf.com/ or call the Carnaval San Francisco 2009 hotline at (415) 651-1811.