Excitement, expectations as SF prepares to inaugurate Mayor-elect Lurie
Excitement, expectations to prepare inauguration of SF Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie
Preparations are underway for the inauguration of San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie at Civic Center Plaza, and the festivities will follow in Chinatown. Community leaders talk about their support and hope for the future.
SAN FRANCISCO - Preparations are underway for the inauguration of San Francisco's Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie.
There is excitement and expectations that Lurie will bring change.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at Civic Center Plaza on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. An open house inside city hall will follow.
Around 2,000 seats will be set up for ticketed guests and last an hour and include speeches and performances.
The public is invited to attend.
"Everybody is welcome to come and witness this historic moment and be a part of this changing moment in San Francisco history," said Max Szabo, spokesperson for the Mayor-elect's transition team.
From 5:30 to 9 p.m., there will be a night market along a two-block stretch of Grant Avenue, between Sacramento and Washington Streets.
A stage will be set up at Grant and Jackson Streets for live performances.
Before running for mayor, Lurie funded Chinatown night markets. Lily Lo, the founder of the Chinatown night markets, said Lurie has helped Chinatown in its economic recovery efforts.
"It's something to bring people to Chinatown because it's so slow, so quiet. Bring people, especially young people," said Lo.
The night market on Wednesday will have a new feature: a beer garden on Commercial Street.
As part of the festivities, 100,000 firecrackers will be lit in front of the historic Far East Restaurant with lion dancers to celebrate Lurie.
Inside, there will be a nine-course banquet for the new mayor.
"He does care about Chinatown, and it's not just Chinatown, but the Asian community," said Lo.
Organizers said the $1,000-per-table event sold out in days.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend, including Asian community leaders. Guest speakers include Gov. Gavin Newsom, former mayors Willie Brown and Frank Jordan.
"It's the first time a mayor has ever selected Chinatown as the site for inauguration night festivities, and we're extremely grateful," said Mark Young, co-chair of the inauguration banquet.
Two people who plan to attend the banquet said Lurie participated in their Chinese New Year float and that he supported their groups, Association for the Advancement of Asian Americans (AAA) and Asian Pacific American.
"We've had his back since then. We will continue to have his back as he also supports our community," said Chris Chang, vice chair of AAA and APA SF.
"He's very accessible, very kind and just a really great mayor that cares about [the] Asian voice too," said Tiffany Deng, an Asian art commissioner.
Organizers said security will be tight both at Civic Center Plaza and in Chinatown.
People who plan to participate are asked to take public transit or ride-share.
Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU