After almost seven years of living in New York, I finally got to experience the spectacle of the Easter Parade. It's a tradition that dates back to the 1800s, when New York society's upper crust would do a promenade on Fifth Avenue dressed in their finest after Easter Sunday mass. The practice is even immortalized in the movie The Easter Parade, which shows Judy Garland and Fred Astaire sashaying down the avenue as photographers snap away. These days, the Easter Parade is a far more inclusive affair, where pretty much anything and everything goes. In keeping with tradition, there were gentlemen in top hats and gloved ladies aplenty.
There was no shortage of colorful characters. I particularly loved the vibrant colors of these two gents' suits (and who can resist that doggie!), as well as the organic flair of the grandmother-granddaughter team below.

I was amazed at how committed people were to creating a spectacle. Not only did the gentleman below wear a Les Miserables tableau around his head—he even had Do You Hear the People Sing playing from his iPod as he walked! And the lady with the gigantic flower-covered heart on her head? There are no words.

The Easter Parade is open to everyone, so if you'd like to experience it, make the craziest hat you can think of and pop on over to Fifth Avenue anywhere between 45th to 57th Streets next year. Heck, get decked out from head-to-toe if you feel so inclined! The crowd will love you for it.

I, for one, have a feeling I'll find it hard to stay away next year. A million thanks to my dearest Zoe for taking me along on yet another wonderful New York adventure!