NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A tradition dating back to the 1870s, New York City’s Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival challenges participants to walk Fifth Avenue in their Sunday best—and a lavish hat.
It began at 10 a.m. outside of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown, and marchers are spending the afternoon strolling up and down Fifth Avenue, which is closed between 49th Street and 57th Street for the festivities.
Marchers are encouraged to go all out with their fashion statements, and many use it as an opportunity to be crafty and creative.
1010 WINS/WCBS 880 spoke with Purely Patricia, an interior designer and model who has been attending the event for 10 years and spent 28 hours on her Sunday look.
“I’m my own inspiration, you know. I sit down and I start looking at all of these things and they start coming together,” she said.
At the parade, 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 talked to a variety of marchers who were in good spirits and wearing wacky outfits.
Sherry, who was dressed as Madonna in a variation of “Like a Prayer,” said that she loves the social and communal importance of the parade, and has been attending since “B.C., before COVID.”
“It’s the creativity and the opportunity to walk around with my friends,” Sherry said.
Others agreed, and took the costume-making opportunity as a challenge.
“This is our first time doing it, and we wanted to do it with recycled materials we had around the house,” another marcher said.
Four-legged New Yorkers also participated in the festivities, much to the joy of one woman who made her dog an Easter-themed outfit with carrots and lights.
“I’m just here to see all the different puppies, and I actually saw a bunny here today, so life is set for now,” she said.
Festivities are expected to die down in Midtown around 4 p.m.
