Easter Parade

I have to admit, I'd never been to the Easter Day Parade before today. I figured it would be much like Manhattan's famous Thanksgiving Day parade—complete with floats and claustrophobic crowds all vying for a piece of the action. But for the first time in months, the sun was shining and my friend, New York milliner Anthony Maxwell, promised a leisurely day in the sunshine with friends. How could I resist?

Instead of oversized balloons of Disney characters, 5th Avenue took a trip down memory lane as hundreds gathered in their Sunday best to stroll down the avenue showcasing the ultimate in Easter bonnet style.

From the sweet to the surreal, it was a gorgeous day full of friendly faces and photo ops. If you didn't catch it this year, I highly recommend you work on your outfit and wow the crowds this time next year. Be warned: the competition is fierce.