Sweet Americana Sweethearts

 The Easter Parade: A New York Tradition in Full Bloom

From the 1880s through the 1950s, if you wanted to experience Easter in all its glory, you’d head straight to Fifth Avenue in New York City. That’s where the Easter Parade came to life—a blend of beauty, faith, fashion, and good old-fashioned people-watching.

It all started quietly enough. In the mid-19th century, churches like St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity Episcopal began decorating their sanctuaries with fresh flowers for Easter. The displays became more elaborate each year—lilies, daffodils, roses—and before long, folks were dressing to match the splendor. Sunday best turned into Sunday stunning.

By the 1880s, the parade was no longer just something you saw inside the churches. It spilled out onto the streets. The well-to-do of New York would leave services and stroll up and down Fifth Avenue, turning the city into a living, breathing runway. Everyone came to admire the flowers, yes—but also the hats, gloves, dresses, and suits. Fashion met tradition, and the Easter Parade was born.

Of course, people from all walks of life came to watch. For many, it was a chance to take in the latest styles, catch a whiff of spring in the air, and enjoy a bit of pageantry without needing a ticket. And as the parade grew, so did its commercial appeal. By the turn of the century, retailers had fully embraced Easter as a selling season—pushing hats, gloves, dresses, shoes, and anything else you could think of. What had once been a quiet religious observance had blossomed into a retail powerhouse.

Not everyone was thrilled with the display. During the Great Depression, the contrast between the

parade’s glamour and everyday hardship was hard to ignore. Unemployed workers took to the streets alongside the fashionable crowds, wearing worn-out clothes and carrying signs pointing out the stark differences in wealth. One banner famously noted that the cost of a single Fifth Avenue gown could support a family on welfare for a year.

And then came 1929, when publicist Edward Bernays used the Easter Parade to make a different kind of statement. He hired women to march down Fifth Avenue while smoking “torches of freedom,” challenging social norms and making a bold play for gender equality. It was a PR stunt that made headlines—and it worked. Cigarette sales among women soared, and the parade once again proved it was more than just a pretty walk down the street.

In 1933, Irving Berlin gave the event a musical heartbeat. His song “Easter Parade” captured the spirit of the celebration and went on to become a beloved classic. Fifteen years later, it inspired the movie Easter Parade, starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, sealing the parade’s place in pop culture.

By the mid-20th century, the religious undertones of the event had faded. The Easter Parade became more of a celebration of American prosperity—part pageant, part party. Critics called it excessive. The Saturday Evening Postonce noted that Easter in New York had become less about faith and more about flaunting what you could afford to wear. But the magic didn’t disappear—it just shifted.

Today, the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival is as delightfully over-the-top as ever. Held on Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Street on Easter Sunday, it’s open to everyone. No tickets, no registration—just show up and join in. You’ll see elegant outfits and outrageous costumes, towering bonnets, live birds in cages (yes, really), and everything in between. It’s a celebration of spring, creativity, and community—New York style.

Whether you’re there to strut your stuff, snap photos, or just soak it all in, the Easter Parade remains a joyful tradition that reminds us how a simple walk down the street can become something truly unforgettable.

Until Next Time,

Kit