Overview
- The parade stepped off at 5:15 p.m. from 2nd and Market and wound to Kearny and Columbus, finishing its roughly 2½‑hour route as planned.
- Gu rode partway through in a red convertible, drawing loud support along the route in her first turn as grand marshal.
- ABC7 served as the official broadcast partner, carrying live coverage starting at 5 p.m. for viewers across platforms.
- Float builders said the Fire Horse designs required tricky engineering and came together despite higher material costs and leaner crews tied to tariffs.
- SFPD deployed additional officers for crowd safety, and reports noted private security for Gu, as performers including Huaxing Arts Group SF opened the show for thousands of spectators at an event that typically reaches millions on TV.