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 guy, I’m taking to the Easter Parade
—from “Easter Parade” by Irving Berlin (1888-1989)

When a photographer, which is everyone today, snaps you, you will not be seen in the rotogravure. More likely, you will be posted to someone’s Facebook page or a blog, such as Phil’s New York.

In 1933 Irving Berlin wrote “Easter Parade,” for a Broadway revue titled “As Thousands Cheer.” Berlin recycled the music from 1917 with new lyrics. The 1948 film “Easter Parade,” a vehicle for Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, was built around the song.

New York’s Easter Parade steps off at 10 o’clock the morning of Easter Sunday. Fifth Avenue is closed to traffic between 49th and 57th Streets until late in the afternoon. No longer a display of new Easter finery, as it had been from the 1870s through the 1950s, the 21st-century version of the parade has become an opportunity to display your creativity and have some fun! Enjoy your promenade up Fifth Avenue with Walk About New York’s view of the Easter Parade.

Rockefeller Center is at the very start of the Easter Parade. The Rockefeller Plaza Ice Skating Rink is still open for skaters, including the Easter Bunny!

A gray-knit and yellow-sneakered Easter Bunny and I kicked up our heels at the Easter Parade.

These Oktoberfest gals were out of season but welcome at the Easter Parade.

In the Channel Gardens of Rockefeller Center all eggs from the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt were on display. What better egg than Humpty Dumpty, Egg#119. This egg was designed by the Prince’s Drawing School; it is signed by Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. In the distance is a garden topiary shaped like a bunny balancing an egg.

A couple assembled hats showing two of the iconic buildings in NYC USA, the Empire State Building, and Paris, France, the Arc de Triomphe.

A young man wears a frilly hat.

A father and son wear homemade hats: what a way to bond!

Look alikes wear navy blue blazers, hats topped by bunnies, and pink fans.

Two young French women got these grand paper hats free from a sidewalk milliner on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. Bienvenue à New York!

There are a few smartly dressed parade-goers still; although it is early for seersucker.

Me and my favorite egg (#276) from the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt. See the previous post, Hunting Easter Eggs for a look at other works that are part of this project.

Group hats were all the rage at the Easter Parade.

This smartly turned-out group made a striking statement, choosing polka dots as their unifying theme.

Tulips and turban: he just bought a bouquet of tulips; he stuck them in a turban made from his scarf. Et voilà, un chapeau de Pâques! What a creative man he is.

Colorful top hats are decked out to fit the occasion.

One of New York City’s most famous structures, the Flatiron Building is turned into a hat. Get a close look at this NYC icon on the Five Squares and a Circle Tour.

Piled high with fake fruit and fake bunnies these hats could topple!

I thought this woman looked lovely in her lacy straw hat.

Butterflies are not free; they are on her hat.

“Honor’s a good brooch to wear in a man’s hat at all times.”
—Ben Jonson (1572-1637) A simple turban does the trick.

With 30 Rockefeller Center rising in the background these gentlemen bring a note of dashing whimsy to the Easter Parade.

Big hats made of tulle and topped with flower baskets looked fine. I love when a group comes together with fun ideas.

The pillbox hat gets built up with a second and third story. Those are fairy and gnome houses atop the hats.

I am standing with another of the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt eggs. This is Egg #106; it was designed by Beth Katleman for Todd Merrill. What with the light blue background and white frilly overlay it looks as if it was inspired by Wedgwood.

The Hula Hoop Lady was gyrating in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. She was very good at Hula Hooping.

A father wears his bunny-eared son as a hat; and mom wears a butterfly. What good sports!

One of the outstanding creations of this year’s Easter Parade were the Flamingo Hats with fringe, creating an air of mystery.

I was told the flamingo-shaped hats were molded from insulating foam, normally used in the housing industry.

When the Flamingo Hats turned to face each other they formed a heart. Here they also frame those church-goers leaving services at the Church of St. Thomas.

These gentlemen, in their colorful and brightly patterned suits, combined tradition and a fashion-forward look.

This is Egg #94, part of the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt; it was designed by Elyn Zimmerman with Miotto Mosaics.

She was colorfully feathered and flowered!

What a brilliant-looking, two-family portrait this is!

Some hat creations get so big and tall that the need a helping hand to remain on the head!

“A woman’s place in public is to sit beside her husband, be silent, and be sure her hat is on straight.” —Bess Truman (1885-1982) Mrs. Truman was a woman of her era.

She and her hat and her jacket added a bright Asian touch to the Easter Parade, which is an informal, free-forming affair.

With great creativity and humor, this duo brought their Easter breakfast eggs to the Parade. All they needed was toast!

Red pails, flowers and whirligigs gave these hats had spin.

“I can wear a hat or take it off, but either way it’s a conversation piece.” —Hedda Hopper (1885-1966) Mrs. Hopper’s hats were her signature. This little number was charming.

The hats in the shape of Cadbury Cream Egg candies looked good enough to eat.

This is yet another—and the last—egg seen here that is part of the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt. Egg #185, designed by Nick Matic, says it all: it’s New York City, the town that I would like to share with you!