Despite some attendees’ hopes to the contrary, the 20-year-old Liu, who recently won two gold medals in the Olympic women’s figure skating competition, was out of state and didn’t attend the weekend event. But her father, Arthur Liu, was the parade’s guest of honor, sharing a float at the head of the procession with Mayor Barbara Lee and other elected officials.<\/p>\n
![\"Arthur](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/615327d39e3a53804b0ef1b818e3eb37.jpeg\"\/)
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Arthur Liu, center, father of Olympic medalist Alysa Liu, marches in Saturday’s Oakland Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade. (Noah Berger\/For the S.F. Chronicle)<\/p>\n
“I just want to pass on (Alysa’s) wishes to everyone,” he said, “and say hi to everyone and thank everyone for their support and for their love for her.”<\/p>\n
Lee said that Oakland will hold a citywide celebration<\/a> for Liu, who was raised in Richmond and trains at the Oakland Ice Center, in about two weeks. Additional details have not yet been announced.<\/p>\n For a city that has long struggled against a reputation<\/a> of crime and poverty, some attendees welcomed the dual celebrations\u00a0– of Lunar New Year and of Liu\u00a0– as welcome points of pride. The festivities extended to East Oakland, where local nonprofits held a joint Black History Month and Lunar New Year celebration at Ira\u00a0Jinkins Recreational Center.<\/p>\n “I don’t like having to defend my city. I like to show off,” said Oakland resident Tina Ramos, who came to the parade with her two dogs in lion dance costumes.<\/p>\n And there was much to show off. Attendees lined the streets near Wilma Chan Park in the morning, watching as dancers, drum players and martial artists marched through Oakland Chinatown. California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis\u00a0– herself born in a previous Year of the Fire Horse\u00a0– served as this year’s grand marshal.<\/p>\n Lady, right, and Louie sport lion outfits while watching Saturday’s Oakland Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade with owner Tina Ramos. (Noah Berger\/For the S.F. Chronicle)<\/p>\n Moraga resident Li Li, who came to the parade for the first time this weekend, said he was surprised at the number of organizations and communities represented at the event. He pointed to his two young children, who appeared to be mesmerized by a group of drummers in the street.<\/p>\n Li said his children wouldn’t want to leave. “They’re just staring at people. They’re so excited.”<\/p>\n Even some of the Chinatown’s workers came outside, with employees of the many local bakeries and restaurants standing in the doorways of their businesses as the procession continued.<\/p>\n But if the celebration drew workers out, city officials made it clear that they hoped it would bring customers in. Like San Francisco Chinatown, which is preparing for its parade next Saturday<\/a>, Oakland Chinatown has struggled to recover from the lingering economic effects of the pandemic\u00a0– especially because it doesn’t have the same tourism appeal as its peer across the bridge. Crime<\/a>, graffiti<\/a> and reduced foot traffic have also impacted small businesses, though officials have reported gains<\/a> in public safety.<\/p>\n Kestrel Kula, center, and Sharon Liu marvel at Saturday’s Oakland Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade. (Noah Berger\/For the S.F. Chronicle)<\/p>\n Oakland City Council Member Charlene Wang, whose district includes Chinatown, said the city has increased its law enforcement presence in the neighborhood. But she also challenged attendees to “put your money where your mouth is.”<\/p>\n “Please go out and help us revitalize Chinatown,” Wang said. “Spend your money here. Go to the shops. Help our struggling small businesses.”<\/p>\n Several visitors told the Chronicle they planned to do just that. Castro Valley resident Lindsay Wong, whose parents marched in the parade with the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, said the family would probably grab something to eat at Tao Yuen Pastry or Wonder Food Bakery\u00a0– if the lines weren’t too long.<\/p>\n After the parade ended, much of the crowd returned to Wilma Chan Park to stop by one of the several food stalls or watch one of the performances on the grounds. There, Arthur Liu greeted the crowd once more, to loud cheers.<\/p>\n “I love Oakland,” he said. “Oakland is a beautiful city, so diverse in people, culture and food. This is a great place to be.”<\/p>\n![\"Lady,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/212520dc7767b94d90512d9d786de7bc.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Kestrel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/de6e7e7004c18d9cc47a0c1cba6eb772.jpeg\"\/)
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