Grand parade
Our Grand Parade boasts a 60–contingent (comparsa) lineup, with over 3,000 artists representing the cultural heritages of Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Bolivia, Cuba, Peru, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, El Salvador, and more to participate, televised by CBS. The Grand Parade covers 20 blocks in San Francisco’s historic Latino Cultural District in the Mission.
How did we do?
2024 Grand Parade Survey
We are always looking for ways to improve. Please share some comments about your experience here.
Thank you for another great year!
our 2024 grand parade winners
Grand Champions
FOGO NA ROUPA
FIRST PLACE
LOCO BLOCO
SECOND PLACE
SAMBAXÉ
THIRD PLACE
FLAVAZ OF D’CARIBBEAN
BRAZILIAN CATEGORY
FIRST PLACE
Grupo Samba Rio
SECOND PLACE
Batala San Francisco
THIRD PLACE
Bloco Ginga Brasil
CARIBBEAN CATEGORY
FIRST PLACE
Rueda Con Ritmo
SECOND PLACE
Xplosion Mas
THIRD PLACE
Cuba Caribe Carnaval
CONTEMPORARY/WORLD FUSION CATEGORY
FIRST PLACE
Latin Dance Grooves
SECOND PLACE
Esforço
THIRD PLACE
Miss Panama SF California
TRADITIIONAL/FOLKLORIC CATEGORY
FIRST PLACE
Oaxaca en SF Danza de Diablos
SECOND PLACE
Kantuta Ballet Folklorico de Bolivia
THIRD PLACE
La Cumbiamba Colombiana
thank you to the following comparsas for your artisitc spirit
| 2024 King Yeison Jimenez & Queen Monica Mendoza sponsored by the SF Latino & Black Builders Association |
| Abadá Capoeira San Francisco |
| American Indian Cultural Center |
| Amor do Samba |
| Aquarela Samba Dancers and Samba School |
| Asiya Shriners |
| Asociacion Mayab |
| BART |
| Buena Vista Horace Mann |
| Cable Car Operators & Family Multi Cultural |
| Caravana de la Bahia |
| Cathedral City High School Ballet Folklorico |
| Chavalos Danzas por Nicaragua |
| Club Puertorriqueño de San Francisco |
| Comunidad Maya Yucateca |
| Danza Mestiza |
| El Show de Pepe |
| Esplendor Azteca Xipe Totec |
| Feline Finesse Dance Company |
| Grand Marshal Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum sponsored by Alaska Airlines |
| Grupo Folklórico Guatemalteco Xelaju |
| Grupo Samba Rio |
| Hot Pink Feathers |
| Jaguars of Fire |
| Kaiser Permanente with Parcero Salseros |
| Karibbean Vibrationz |
| Los Bomberos de San Francisco |
| Mexicans on a Mission |
| Mi Tierra Colombiana |
| Mission District Young Musicians Program |
| Mixtiso |
| Morenada San Francisco – Bolivia para el mundo |
| Moving Beyond Productions |
| Native Fairy Gardens |
| Negritud Yanga USA |
| Nicaragua Danza, Hijos del Maíz |
| Paixao Dance Ensemble |
| Rainbow Art Collective |
| Raio de Luz Samba |
| Performers |
| Recology |
| Ritmo Del Corazon (MCCLA) |
| Rueda Con Ritmo |
| Samba Conmigo |
| San Francisco Lowrider Council |
| San Francisco Public Library |
| Tambores Julio Remelexo |
| Telemundo 48 & Comcast Xfinity |
| The Church of 8 Wheels |
| The Frontline Essential Workers of Laborers Union Local 261 |
| Tradicion Peruana Cultural Center |
| Tradiciones Michoacanas |
| Torito de Petate |
| Valverde Dance |
| Viva Amor Y La Lucha con Samba Ritmo |
| Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca |
Grand Marshal
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1992, Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum Named Grand Marshal of the Grand Parade of Carnaval San Francisco on May 26th
Dr. Menchú Tum’s Lifework Exemplifies the ‘Honor Indigenous Roots’ Theme of the Free Two-Day
Celebration on May 25-26th, 2024
San Francisco, CA – April 30, 2024 – Carnaval San Francisco proudly announces Dr. Rigoberta
Menchú Tum, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate of 1992, as the Grand Marshal of the Grand Parade
taking place on Sunday, May 26th. Dr. Menchú Tum embodies the sacred social justice theme of this
year’s celebration, “Honor Indigenous Roots.”
On Monday, May 27th, there will be an invite-only event, along with a media briefing featuring Dr. Menchú Tum.
“My spirit is ignited with joy and my heart overflows with love—I’m deeply humbled and excited to honor Doctora Rigoberta Menchú Tum as our Grand Marshal for Carnaval San Francisco 2024,” expressed Roberto Hernandez, CEO of Cultura y Arte Nativa de Las Americas (CANA). “With this year’s theme,
‘Honor Indigenous Roots,’ Doctora Menchú Tum embodies our modern understanding and celebration of indigenous culture. Her tireless activism educates the world on indigenous philosophies rooted in relation to Mother Earth. I deeply admire her advocacy for indigenous rights amidst centuries of exploitation. Doctora Menchu Tum grew up working on coffee plantations, and the horrific challenges she faced, including the tragic loss of her parents to government-sponsored violence, profoundly influenced her lifetime of social justice work. I’m honored to have her join our celebration as we continue to work together with our indigenous communities, the original stewards of these lands.”
“Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum is a global icon and a personal hero of mine,” said Rodrigo Durán, Executive Director of Carnaval San Francisco. “We are grateful to have her as our Grand Marshal on May 26th, and the following day, she will join us for an invite-only gathering and media briefing at the soon to launch Indigenous Peoples Cultural Arts Healing Center, also known as “Casa de Carnaval” at 683 Florida Street. Her tireless commitment to social justice, her unwavering resilience, and her dedication to empowering and uplifting women and indigenous communities serve as a beacon of inspiration.”
Social leader, activist, political figure, writer, and spiritual guide, Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum’s multifaceted journey in social justice began as a Maya K’iche’ woman collaborating with the Committee of the Peasant Union (CUC) and the Catholic Church. Her profound commitment to justice stemmed from her upbringing in a farming family, where she witnessed firsthand the struggles and sacrifices endured by her relatives. Tragically, members of her family faced torture and murder at the hands of government forces as they advocated for the rights of indigenous farmworkers in Guatemala. Dr. Menchú Tum’s tireless advocacy aimed to bring about transformative change, seeking to honor the lives of her family and countless others striving for a better future.
As the Founder and Life President of the Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation, Dr. Menchú Tum has dedicated her life’s work to education, food security, respect for Mother Earth, human rights, and social justice, with a focus on advocating for the most disadvantaged populations. Her remarkable contributions have been internationally recognized, with accolades such as the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador designation, the Decoration “Legion of Honor in the Highest Rank of Commander,” the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, the José Martí Ibero-American Prize, the Decoration of the Aztec Eagle, and the Rubén Darío Cultural Order.
Furthermore, she has been awarded with over thirty Honoris Causa Doctorates in the field of
Humanities from prestigious universities across Latin America, Europe, and Asia. For deeper insights into Dr. Menchú Tum’s extraordinary life, please visit the Nobel Prize website, here.
Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum’s presence as Grand
Marshal is monumental for this year’s parade. The Grand Parade features a 70-contingent lineup, showcasing over 3,000 artists representing the rich cultural heritages of Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Bolivia, Cuba, Peru, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, El Salvador, and more. Dr. Menchú Tum will be aboard the Grand Marshal
Float sponsored by Alaska Airlines, symbolizing unity and celebration of diversity. KPIX TV-5, CBS will broadcast the parade live, allowing viewers from around the world to witness the colorful spectacle.
During Memorial Day Weekend on May 25th and May 26th, from 11 am to 6 pm, the 46th annual Carnaval San Francisco will take place, drawing over 400,000 people to the free two-day festival celebration. This event enlivens the city with the largest multicultural celebration on the West Coast, covering 17 blocks in the Mission District. The festival boasts five music stages, five DJ block parties, 400 vendors, and over 50 local performing artists, providing entertainment for families, couples, and friends of all ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds. Attendees can enjoy international food, dancing, sampling sites, and more. The Grand Parade, a highlight of the event, takes place on the second day and is always a crowd pleaser.
Durán emphasized, “Carnaval San Francisco is more than just a celebration; it’s an economic
powerhouse. With an estimated impact of approximately $10 million, this two-day Festival and Grand Parade inject vitality into our local economy. We stand behind small businesses and local vendors who have felt the effects of the pandemic.”
For those interested in securing premium viewing for the Grand Parade, Grandstand tickets are available for purchase at $30 each. Admission to the parade is otherwise free. Secure your Grandstand seats by purchasing tickets here.
Note to editors:
Image courtesy of Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum
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Media Contacts:
De Alba Communications
Victoria Sanchez De Alba, (650) 270-7810
Jackie Wright, (415) 525-0410
Chase Roberts, (415) 385 8072
Parade MCs, DJ & Judges
 Meet MC Dr. Karling Aguilera–FortDr. Karling Aguilera-Fort is the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services for SFUSD. Prior to returning to SFUSD, Dr. Karling Aguilera-Fort was Superintendent of Schools of the Oxnard School District since 2019. Before this, he served as bilingual Special Education teacher and school principal as well as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the San Francisco Unified School District. He has been involved with the issues of equity and social justice on behalf of the most marginalized students since the beginning of his career. Karling is originally from Venezuela where he worked at different levels of the educational system within Special Education. He loves San Francisco Carnaval and has MC’d several times. |
 Meet Leticia Hernández–LinaresLeticia Hernández-Linares is a bilingual, interdisciplinary writer, artist, and racial justice educator. The first-generation U.S. born daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, she is widely published and the author of the poetry collection Mucha Muchacha, Too Much Girl and the children’s book Alejandria Fights Back! ¡La lucha de Alejandria! In 2023, the San Francisco Flor y Canto Festival awarded her the Community Appreciation Teyolía Award. She is an Assistant Professor in Latina, Latino Studies at San Francisco State University, and has worked extensively in Mission District public schools and nonprofit organizations. A five-time San Francisco Arts Commission grantee, she has lived, created, taught, and protested in the Mission District (unceded, ancestral Ramaytush Ohlone land) while living on the same block, for thirty years. |
 Meet DJ Wray VelezFelipe Wray Velez, aka Mr. 45 rpm, is a San Francisco native and a DJ from the Frisco Gang Vinyl Collective. He has been collecting records, primarily 45’s, since he witnessed his first lowrider cruise on 24th and Mission Street in the late 1970’s. In the 80’s Felipe DJ’d on KPFA on the show “La Onda Bajita” with Chuey Varela. In the 90’s, he had a radio show on RadioX 102.5 FM called “Cruise Night Forever”, featuring poets, musicians and local community members. Since then he has been playing vinyl records in the Mission, DJing at festivals like Fiesta de las Américas, Lover’s Lane and other community celebrations, and keeping the lowrider culture alive. Felipe believes that he is creating peace one record at a time at 45 Revolutions Per Minute, and is honored to be participating in San Francisco Carnaval 2024. |
 Meet Judge Wanda K. WhitakerWanda K. Whitaker is CEO of Anchored In Spirit, a California based mental wellness company, where she helps individuals and groups to transform, transcend and transmute themselves through the arts and sciences. As an author, certified hypnotherapist, visionary artist and spiritual teacher, she conducts private sessions and workshops on the healing arts, self-awareness, personal growth and development, and art that educates and advocates for the betterment of humanity. Her business background spans over thirty years. Her event production resume includes the planning and marketing of Cinco de Mayo, SF Carnaval VIP parties, the 24th Street Fair, the African Marketplace, and the Afribbean Festival. |
 Meet Frank LetoFrank Leto is a musician, an award-winning songwriter and educator with over 50 years of experience. In the early 1980s, Frank Leto performed with Batucaje in the San Francisco Carnaval parades. There he met a talented Samba dancer named Pilar, who later became his wife. Together, Frank and Pilar Leto continued carrying on Carnaval traditions in Hawaii and then Albuquerque. In New Mexico, they have produced and directed nineteen original Carnaval Celebrations at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. These unique music and dance productions feature Frank’s original compositions. Frank has five worldbeat albums. His latest album, “It Seems Like Yesterday,” was just released in February. Frank’s musical journey has taken him around the globe, from Japan and China to Brazil and Cuba. |
 Meet Judge Karen Waukazoo (Lakota)Karen Waukazoo (Lakota) is the Project Director and Data Specialist at Friendship House. She draws inspiration from her parents’ profound dedication to the Native American Health Center, the Friendship House Association of American Indians programs, and the local community. Following in their esteemed footsteps, Karen has passionately committed herself to serving the Bay Area’s American Indian population in a manner uniquely her own. Karen’s advocacy is not just a job but a personal mission, driven by her unwavering dedication to uphold principles of respect, compassion, and expertise, ensuring the highest standards of care. In her 16-year journey with the Friendship House program, Karen has spanned various roles, from her humble beginnings as a youth volunteer to her current leadership position. Her commitment to serving her community in their journey toward recovery exemplifies her deep sense of responsibility and connection. |
 Meet Judge Regina “Califa” CallowayRegina “Califa” Calloway is a distinguished Cultural Arts Producer, with a 30-year trajectory as a Global Carnavalesca. She hails from legacy performing Companies Fua Dia Congo and Fogo Na Roupa, to name a few. Califa danced Carnaval with leading Bloco Afros, Ilê Aiyê, and Olodum in Salvador da Bahia and Pernambuco, Brazil, including fetes in Cuba, Osogbo, Nigeria, and New Orleans. Utilizing her Arts Administration and Marketing expertise, Ms. Calloway’s volunteerism includes Carnaval San Francisco and Oakland Carijama, working at Mission Economic Cultural Association (MECA), and co-hosting the Grand Parade on KOFY TV with the legendary Marcos Gutiérrez. Today, as the Chief Creative Officer of nzoCALIFApresents, Ms. Calloway leads an Arts Marketing Development Consultancy, celebrating Carnaval San Francisco’s 46th year, in Grand salute! Aṣẹ’o. |
 Meet Carlos “Kookie” GonzalezCarlos “Kookie” Gonzalez is a muralist, musician, and former juvenile probation officer. Carlos has been drawing and painting since childhood. Most of his art reflects the movements and activism in politics, art and music he experienced while growing up in San Francisco’s Barrio, The Mission District. Carlos first began painting murals as a community service project. He later apprenticed with renowned muralists such as Chuy Campusano, Ray Patlán and Mike Rios. As a probation officer he led troubled youth in mural painting and continued to moonlight as a muralist. He’s now retired and is happily living the dream as an artist. You can see some of Carlos’ murals at 24th and South Van Ness, 24th and Capp St, and in Balmy Alley. |
Our Reigning King & Queen
King Yeison Jimenez
King Yeison Jimenez is a Colombian dancer who has always dreamed about being one. He trained more than anyone to reach this goal since 2010, and he did it thanks to each dance teacher, dance school, and carnaval he had in his hometown, Neiva, Colombia. Yeison had the great opportunity to be part of one the most prestigious Dance groups in his hometown, The “Ballet Folclórico Sonia Gomez.” He had the chance to represent his country at one of the CIOFF festivals in Mexico, “Festival Zacatecas del Folclor Internacional”.
Yeison was also part of the “Compañía de Ballet Clásico Ballerine,” which gave him techniques in Classical Dances such as Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, and some others. Finally, I he was part of “Danza Studio Neiva,” where he mixed all the techniques, rhythms, and genres in dance. The Colombian Ministry of Culture certified him to teach dance after he finished the Dance Diploma. Since he moved to the U.S., he has been dancing with Mi Tierra Colombiana and at the San Jose City College Dance Department. Yeison’s goal as King is to show you all what love, passion, and hard work can do and also why we should keep loving our Carnavals!
Queen Monica Mendoza
Queen Monica Mendoza is the Champion of the “Marinera Norteña,” the National Dance of Peru. She started doing competitive dancing at the age of 5 years old in Peru, training with different teachers for more than 30 years. She has distinct national championships in Peru and USA, and the world championship for la Marinera Norteña. Monica is the founder of Peru Expressions Dance Academy. She is also currently a dance instructor in Tradicion Peruana Cultural Center.
She is honored to be Queen of Carnaval because it will give her the opportunity to have a broad platform to promote, cultivate and share Peruvian Culture to our Community. She loves Carnaval in SF because it is an event that brings every community together where people can share their culture and explore other cultures!
