Vietnamese Spring Festival And Parade

Cat or Rabbit?
While the Chinese community recognizes 2011 as «The Year of the Rabbit» — the Vietnamese community celebrates 2011 as «The Year of the Cat.» And yesterday’s sunny (and rain free) parade was almost purrrfect.
Gayle and I were staying at the Fairmont and decided to take a morning walk before checking out. We had noticed the grandstand setup from our window and by the time we walked to Market Street, the parade was just beginning.
The Silicon Valley is home to one of the largest Vietnamese-​American communities in America. The event draws an estimated attendance of more than 60,000 people and was first held back in 1998. Gayle and I especially enjoyed the classic cars that carried the politicians and the beauty queens, the decorated floats, the dragon and lion dancers, marching bands, the martial arts demonstrations, the many colourful costumes, and the energy of the event itself. What a wonderful coincidence that we were around to see this entertaining pageantry!