San Francisco cheers its native Chinese Olympian Eileen Gu, who headlines parade for the Year of the Fire Horse

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

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

Civic leaders and performers paraded from downtown to Chinatown through popping firecrackers. Children marched wearing 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 website.

While the celebration always draws massive crowds, attendees were especially excited for Gu, who drew loud cheers.

Vanessa Chan of neighboring South San Francisco said she represents “cultural infusion.”

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

Gu appeared partway through 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 holiday.

Parade organizer Wiliam Gee said Gu was picked for the role by the middle of last year — before she competed in ...