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Easter Parades in Different Nations

Parades or processions have always been an integral part of Christian culture. The Easter parade is an event of great importance and an absolutely inseparable tradition for most nations observing the occasion. Read this article to know in brief how Easter Parades are held in different nations. If you like reading this article on "Easter Parades in Different Nations", click here and forward it to all your friends and loved ones. Have a wonderful Easter time!
London

Easter Parade in London

Of the numerous Easter parades in Britain, the one at London's Battersea Park is an event to watch out for. The spectacular Easter Parade in Battersea Park is annually held on Easter Sunday. The grand procession is sponsored by the London Tourist Board and is generally themed to a subject connected to the past of the metropolis, its attractions or any of its popular traditions. The event traditionally starts at 3 p.m. and consists of a plethora of beautifully decorated floats, entered by various organizations in and outside London. At the back end of the parade is a wonderfully decorated Jersey float, made from lovely spring flowers and bearing the Easter Princess and her attendants. The procession is attended by thousands of men, children and women wearing bonnets. This particular fashion of wearing bonnets by women during Easter parade comes from the iconic fashion statement created in 1858 when Queen Victoria attended the Battersea Park procession dressed in a new spring bonnet and gown. The tradition exists to this day and has expanded to such an extent that it is counted to be one of the inseparable Easter traditions here.


New York City

Easter parade in New York City

The Easter Parade at the Big Apple is an event hard to miss. This yearly procession has been in custom since the Civil War and witnesses thousands of New Yorkers marching down Fifth Avenue in their finery. The parade has come a long way since its inception in the mid 19th century when it was mainly an elite affair with the middle class serving as awestruck viewers gawking at the flamboyant costumes, bonnets and carriages. Today, it is an event for all and sees the participation of every class of people. The grand procession annually runs along Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th streets and is approximately held from 10am to 4pm. New Yorkers flock to the streets to catch the action comprising of musical performances, dazzling costume displays, live birds perched on nest in flowery bonnets, clowns, amazing floral displays and many other attractions.


Toronto

Easter Parade Toronto

It was in 1966 that the Easter Sunday parade of Toronto was introduced. 40 years on, the event has gained much importance and is counted among the best American parades held during Easter. Officially sponsored by the Lions Club in the Beach neighborhood since its origin, the Toronto Easter Parade annually kicks off at 2pm from Neville Park Boulevard on Easter Sunday and runs along Queen Street West ending at Woodbine Avenue about an hour later. The event consists of Easter bunnies, marchers decked in lovely costumes, marvelous floats and special musical performances by local bands that is attended by thousands of Toronto residents dressed in beautiful clothes. Many bring along their dogs to add some more fun to the parade that marks the beginning of spring.


New Orleans

Easter Parade New Orleans

The grandeur of Easter celebrations in New Orleans lies in its three fantastic parades - the Chris Owens Easter Parade, the St. Charles’s Avenue Easter Parade and the New Orleans Gay Easter Parade. The most popular is the Chris Owens Easter Parade which is actually the Historic French Quarter Parade initiated long long back by the daughter of Count Arnaud. Every year, the parade starts approximately at 10:30 a.m. from Arnaud's Restaurant and ends at Royal Street covering Bienville Street, Dauphine Street, Iberville Street, Bourbon Street and Toulouse Street. Participants usually stroll in Jackson Square, proceed to attend the Mass at St. Louis Cathedral at 11 a.m. and then retreat to Arnaud's. Women in beautiful dresses and bonnets toss candy and plush toys as they make their way to the Cathedral. Decorated floats, splendid carriages and convertibles are the highlight of this parade. Headed by the Easter Bunny, the famed St. Charles Avenue Easter Parade begins and ends at Delmonico's after a trip around Lee Circle and down the Cadiz Street. The conservative New Orleans Gay Easter Parade is also a highly popular event and is attended by teeming thousands.

The occasion begins in the 800 block of North Rampart Street at 4:30 p.m. and ends at the meeting point of Burgundy and Orleans.

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