Monument at Potrero del Sol Park. This is the first monument dedicated to Paleteros, celebrating diversity, immigrants, and resilience.
A Sweet Route community event
PROGRAM: A Sweet Route – Potrero del Sol Park
Performance: Sunday August 2nd, 12 noon – 3pm
12:15 – 12:20 PM — Four Directions Land Acknowledgment
12:20 – 12:30 PM — Mixcoatl Aztec Dance
12:30 – 12:40 PM — Project Introduction
12:50 – 1:10 PM — Susana Arenas Dance Company
1:20 – 2:20 PM — John Santos Sextet, with Kata Miletich & Anais Azul performing the song “Paletas”
A Sweet Route: Tribute to the Paleter@s/ Ice Cream Vendors is a temporary public art project within Shaping Legacy, an initiative of the San Francisco Arts Commission, supported by SF Recreation and Parks. It reimagines the monument to honor immigrant ice cream vendors of the Mission District—workers who bring joy, culture, and care to the city.
The central piece is a 14.5-foot wooden totem dedicated to *paleteros* Pedro and Estela; it is inspired by their carts and adorned with Indigenous deities. A second mobile “paleta” totem -100 feet tall- activates the project through performances and gatherings, culminating in community celebrations across the neighborhood.
Here you can read about this monument and others. To find A Sweet Route, just scroll down a bit.
Thanks to our collaborators, Baldochi Projects & Collaborations, CANA, Casa Carnaval and Nomadic Press.
-en español-
- En Español
A Sweet Route: Tribute to the Paleter@s / Ice Cream Vendors es un proyecto de arte público temporal dentro de Shaping Legacy, una iniciativa de la Comisión de Artes de San Francisco, con el apoyo de SF Recreation and Parks. Reimagina el monumento para honrar a los vendedores inmigrantes de helados del Distrito de la Misión—trabajadores que llevan alegría, cultura y cuidado a la ciudad.
La pieza central es un tótem de madera de 14.5 pies dedicado a los paleteros Pedro y Estela; está inspirado en sus carritos y adornado con deidades indígenas. Un segundo tótem móvil de “paleta” – de 10 pies de altura- activa el proyecto a través de performances y encuentros, culminando en celebraciones comunitarias en todo el vecindario.
Gracias a nuestros colaboradores, Boldochi Projects & Collaborations, CANA, Casa Carnaval y Nomadic Press.
On June 20, 2026, the sculpture-monument dedicated to the paleteros was inaugurated at Parque Niños Unidos. The celebration began with a procession from the 24th Street BART plaza to the park, featuring Mixcoatl Aztec Dance, Fogo Na Roupa, and LoCura, with a special appearance by Anais Azul. Thank you to the entire community who joined us.
More images form August 2nd celebration
Table with games related to paleteros, and info about A Sweet Route
with Connie Rivera from Mixcoatl Danza Azteca
Anais Azul, composer of the Paleter@ song, with John Santos.
with Matthew Goudeau, deirector of the San Francisco Arts Commission
with Kim Schuck, emeritus Poet Laureate of San Francisco
with Angela Carrier, SFAC
