The Easter Parade

I know it is Mother's day, and I am really happy for all of you mothers out there, really, but I thought I would take a minute and post some of the pictures from my New York trip. I know I have been home for over a month but you should be able to enjoy them regardless of when they were taken, right?

Unfortunately, the vast majority of the pictures I took were taken on our last day there - mere hours before our flight. We decided to wander up 5th avenue on Easter morn, after attending church with a Manhattan ward. I had heard that there was an Easter parade on 5th Ave each year but I wasn't quite sure what that really meant. I would have loved it if the parade was patterned after the Judy Garland movie, "The Easter Parade"

But I had to wonder if the event had turned into more of a parade for drag queens. Fortunately, and for our entertainment, it was a healthy mix of both --

Here is the group in front of a church -
Ali's Mom, Marty, Denice and Ali - I was taking the picture

Denice didn't know I was taking the picture but she had such a cute look on her face that I had to post it --

And a "Queen" and her buddies thrown in for good measure

2 BFFs

Even the dogs were dressed up --

A sweet little girl in her Easter Bonnet

Not sure how happy this little girl is about her bonnet --

A family getting into the action

This guy must have been a good sport --

This guy has to be around my Dad's age -- strangly enough, I think my dad would wear that

This was quite the castle bonnet this little girl was wearing

This girl has expanded the bonnet theme to her wardrobe

These guys made their Easter hats our of Subway cards - very cleaver and resourceful

Where would a New Yorker store a wig like this?

This hat was great! All of the Easter candy a kid could ask for!

I don't know how to describe this one other thank, 'big'

Dude


This was one of my favorites -- this is the picture I took walking up from behind

And then he turned around and gave me a great grin

He was great!

I could see this gentleman escorting Judy Garland up 5th Avenue

This man is wearing his token bunny ears

I am so glad that I got to see this! I would tell anyone who was going to be in the city on Easter to make sure they see the parade - We learned from our concierge that this is a great NY tradition that some New Yorkers take very seriously. They work for months on their bonnets and I, as a shutter-snapping tourist, appreciate it!!!

In your Easter bonnet

with all the frills upon it,

you'll be the grandest lady
in the Easter Parade!

I'll be all in clover,

and when they look you over

I'll be the proudest fella
in the Easter Parade!

On the Avenue, Fifth Avenue,

the photographers will snap us

and you'll find that you're
in the rotogravure.

Oh, I could write a sonnet

about your Easter bonnet

and of the girl I'm taking
to the Easter Parade!