Chinese Dragons Attracted by Firecrackers in Chinatown, San Francisco - Happy Chinese New Year!

This was a "Blast!" On one of my many trips to San Francisco, I was walking towards Chinatown and began hearing the sound of drums and bells. The cacophony grew louder as I followed the sound around a corner onto Grant Street and saw a huge crowd surrounding the drummers. As I wove my way through and around the crowd, I saw more than a dozen teenagers all wearing matching red shirts. They were taking turns drumming. There were a group of Chinese businessmen in front of them obviously in charge. Hanging overhead from a rope two-three stories tall was the longest string of firecrackers I've ever seen. Like the rest of the crowd I began to grow excited. I had to see this!
I noticed a row Chinese Dragon heads arranged in a row on the sidewalk behind the businessmen. Soon some dignitaries arrived in Limos and the teenagers donned the 9 Dragon heads and began performing in groups of 2. After posing for the numerous newspapers and cameramen, someone lit the firecrackers. The organizers pushed back the crowd and the Dragons formed a ring around the exploding firecrackers separating the crowd from the explosions and protecting them from flying debris. I found out later that the Dragons are good luck and the firecrackers attract the Dragons.
The ceremony appeared to be in celebration of the "Grand Opening" or change of management of the Far East Café. On the web at www.fareastcafesf.com Here is another person's video of the same event • Celebration at the Far... You can see me video taping at 4:16.
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Jim Anderson Photography
GoalBusters Consulting, 2008
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[@RattlingGourd]

How awesome!!

[@RobertOng]

This reminds me on NYC Chinatown where I spent my childhood perorming the Chinese Lion Dance with firecrackers like this! Thanks for sharing a moment of our lives.