Carnaval San Francisco 2009 (Event Over)

THE BEAT OF CHANGE IS IN THE AIR!
SAN FRANCISCO CARNAVAL 2009 
CELEBRATES REVIVAL AND CHANGE

California’s Largest Annual Multi-Cultural Celebration May 23 - 24
Carnaval Grand Parade May 24

Celebrate change in 2009 with a multicultural flair 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. 

Carnaval is a spring ritual that celebrates life. 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 world famous  Carnaval San Francisco 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 San Francisco’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.

This year, kids will have a chance to see  Ben 10 from the popular Cartoon Network show, the official Carnaval Children’s Ambassador.

The Best Seats in the House: Carnaval San Francisco Grand Parade Grandstand seating is now available for $30, and is the best way to view the parade.  Visit Carnaval SF.com   to purchase your tickets now. 

CARNAVAL FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Non-Stop Live Music: From Samba to funk; Caribbean to Rock n’ Roll, Carnaval is a music-lovers dream, with dozens of live bands playing a diverse array of genres on three stages. 

Niñolandia sponsored by Bank of the West: A fun and festive area for kids and their families with Carnaval activities, jumpy houses, entertainment and more.  

NBA Nation  -  It's back this year and better than ever.  NBA Nation presented by T-Mobile and Kia Motors and its ambassador, NBA Legend Darryl Dawkins, bring the world's largest mobile basketball playground to Carnaval San Francisco. Practice slam dunks on 8, 9, or 10-foot rims, climb the 18-wheeled NBA monster showtruck, and compete in games and contests to win a T-Mobile G1 phone, a new Kia Forte or Kia Soul, a TV and the chance to attend NBA All-Star 2010 in Dallas.



Carnaval Goes Green: In conjunction with the City’s ambitious environmental goals, Carnaval for Zero Waste. Carnaval uses Green Mary and the Green Team for waste diversion and removal. Additionally, Carnaval will provide equal amounts of trash and recycling containers, and has asked vendors to minimize waste, use compostable wares and compost where possible. And, used fryer oil is picked up and re-used as fuel for the City’s fleet of bio-diesel cars. Carnaval works closely with city police to minimize littering in the 16-block area, and to keep it clean for residents.



The brand new Carnaval San Francisco logo merchandise will be available this year on tote bags, hats, T-shirts and woman’s razor-back tank tops for $10 each or free with the purchase of five beers.

Carnaval Schedule:  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.   Carnaval San Francisco is a short walk from the 16th and 24th Street BART stations.



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 produced in partnership with  Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc., and  Rita Barela Productions, Inc. and is supported by  San Francisco Grants for the Arts. Since its inception in 1959,  Mission Neighborhood Centers has served the Inner and Outer Mission residents through social services with a strong focus on under-served immigrant children, adolescents and seniors. Their programs are considered models by nearby communities. MNC is a leader in preserving the integrity of San Francisco’s diverse cultures through coalition building and preventing ethnic isolationism.



Carnaval San Francisco wishes to thank its Presenting Sponsor Comcast along with our other generous sponsors, including NBA, San Francisco Giants, Bank of the West (the Exclusive Bank of Ninolandia) Burger King, Budweiser, Dos XX, California Lottery, Ford, Mahatma Rice, Shell Vacation, BART, Univision TV, Telefutura, Univision Radio (La Kalle, Estereo Sol, Recuerdo, KLOK), Clear Channel Radio (KMEL, KISS, WILD, Star 101, La Preciosa), El Mensajero, Scary Cow Productions, and more. 



           For more information and current updates about  Carnaval San Francisco 2009, please visit www.carnavalsf.com  < http://www.carnavalsf.com/>  or call the  Carnaval San Francisco 2009 hotline at  415-621-2255 . 
 

Additional Information:

Carnaval King and Queen: This year’s Carnaval King and Queen will be crowned on Friday, May 15 at a party at the Café Cocomo, 650 Indiana in San Francisco. Age 21 with ID. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can also be purchased online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/62... < http://www.brownpapertickets.com/> . 



Contestants representing all Carnaval traditions - Brazilian, Caribbean, Traditional and World/Fusion - will vie for the coveted titles. The winners win $500 cash each and reign over the Grand Parade on Sunday, May 24. Along with the dance competition, there will be live entertainment and farewell performance by current King Everett & Queen Kellita. Doors open at 7:00 pm; contest starts at 8:00 pm.