By Alex Robinson
Thousands of people braved frigid temperatures Saturday to behold the Lunar New Year Parade in downtown Flushing.
The NYPD marching band and a crowd of elected officials led the procession through Flushing’s streets. Dozens of colorful floats, giant dragons carried on poles by dancers and costumed marchers followed them as confetti went flying through the air.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was characteristically 30 minutes late, joined his colleagues after the parade was already underway.
“This is an extraordinary community we’re in,” the mayor said. “A community that exemplifies the strength of New York City, exemplifies the future of New York City and as I’ve said many times before, will have a government that believes in all five boroughs, that believes in every community, including all the immigrant communities that are making this city stronger all the time.”
The parade snaked from the 109th Precinct down Main Street and culminated at Queens Crossing, where Chinese fireworks erupted after elected officials gave speeches.
Parade-goers endured temperatures that dipped below 30 degrees to witness the spectacle.
Organizers said the parade has grown in size every year, since its inception in 1996. They were expecting more than 100,000 people to attend this year’s celebration.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
