San Francisco's Lowrider Parade brings hundreds of cruising cars to the Mission District
San Francisco's annual Lowrider Parade, a decades-long tradition in the city's Mission District, was shown for the first time on live television on Saturday.
The parade on Mission Street was part of the city's celebration of Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month and showcased lowriders from across the country, with a special focus on women-led car clubs.
In the city that once banned cruising on Mission Street, the parade was presented by the San Francisco Lowrider Council, formed in 1981 to resist the racial profiling of Latinos who reveled in the display of their automobile artwork. It wasn't until last year that California finally enacted a law prohibiting lowrider bans and anti-cruising ordinances across the Golden State.
On Saturday, the San Francisco Lowrider Council united clubs and solo riders to preserve and promote the rich artistry of lowriding. The council has been featured in films, documentaries, music videos, and celebrated at iconic Bay Area events, including championship parades for the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, and San Francisco 49ers.
The parade was followed by the Lowrider Hopping Competition, showcasing the hydraulics that enable the lowrider hopping mechanics. Winners in various categories cruised home with $10,000 in cash prizes.
The entire San Francisco Lowrider Parade and Lowrider Hopping Competition can be rewatched on the CBS News Bay Area YouTube page.