Rich colors, loud clanging, hordes of people, and an overwhelming sense of pride took over San Francisco's annual Chinese New Year Parade on Saturday. Photog Erik Wilson was there to capture the people enjoying and/or trudging through the festivities.

Also, it would not have been a San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade without the all-encompassing presence of Rose Pak. SFGate's Beth Spotswood was there to cover the parade, as well as the golden nuggets coming out of Pak's mouth. Though the local powerbroker didn't say much, she did unfurl a few gems. For example:

• [...]Dennis Herrera rolled by in a PT Cruiser. Suddenly, Rose Pak grabbed the microphone and said that since Dennis Herrera was not running for Mayor, we could clap for him.

Pak also gave her unofficial State Assembly endorsement for Supe. David Campos/against Supe. David Chiu).