Even the intimidating sky - black, ominous and threatening thunder - were not enough to rain on this parade: 2005 – the Year of the Rooster and the annual San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade held on Saturday.

The route for the parade began at Market and 2nd streets with parade floats, marchers and dignitaries. They waited their turn to meet the crowds, which stood three-to-five deep, lining the route.

Two white vans sat, parked in the staging area. Through the windows of one, something glinted like the irridesence of raindrops. In fact, the reflection was the sparkle of rhinestones and sequins on the gown worn by the recently crowned Miss Chinatown USA, Carol Chen.

Chen, from Dallas, Texas, said the San Francisco parade was her first.

“I’m so excited to be here. My entire family is here with me,” Chen said. “Hopefully, (the weather) doesn’t rain on my parade though. This is such an honor.”

Although Chen plans to travel during her reign, for now she’ll remain in San Francisco, getting to know the San Francisco Chinese community and enlarging her circle of contacts.

Brian Chinn, 47, Mary Liu, 55, and Carrie Laurent, “over 21,” were part of the Macy’s-employee Asian Affinity Group. Their float held a large kettle-like object with a dragon protruding from the top.

Lu said their purpose is to promote a better understanding of the Asian culture between them and Macy’s. “It also helps employees network with each other,” she said.

Chinn, along with Liu and Laurent, said he was a first-time parade participant. “I used to come out a lot as a kid, and this reminds (me) of being a kid," said Chinn.

There were a number of brightly colored floats along the route, like the one belonging to the Cal Dragon Boat Association. Their vessel, an upwardly curving brilliant red boat, had a fierce-looking dragon at the bow. The entire ship was festooned with red lanterns and trimmed in gold foil discs that resembled Chinese money.

Two couples clad in traditional Chinese silk pajamas and caps stood near their float, which was a distinctive departure from most of the other Asian-themed vessels. The idea of marriage was evidenced by the oversized three-tied wedding cake trimmed with rainbow-colored ribbons and a red heart atop the cake.

Stuart Gaffney, 42, and husband John Lewis, 46, along with Jeanne Fong, 45, and her wife Jennifer Lin were celebrating their wedding anniversaries. Both couples were married last year at city hall after
Mayor Gavin Newsom declared same-sex marriages legal in San Francisco.

Their sponsor, the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA), has been absent from the parade in recent years. According to a statement by GAPA, this year they were invited to fully play a part in the festivities, showcasing the gay and lesbian contingent, and highlighting marriage equality for same-sex couples.

“We’re not just very excited, but very touched by our inclusion in the parade this year,” said Gary Chen, a former GAPA co-chair, who currently serves as an advisor to the GAPA board.

“In our culture marriage and family are very important,” said Lin. “We are here to celebrate our Asian heritage – it’s wonderful.”