Virgin Parade

Calling all Latino countries! Every South, Central and North American country and ethnic group with any Spanish Catholic connections seems to turn out in force at the Virgin Parade in the UWS. Time to get out your Virgin Mary dolls, trip-out your biggest vehicle, dress up your kids in ethnic garb, and have the white priest heard the cute little hispanic alter boys up Columbus Street. The later looked a little pervy. I did enjoy the dancing and celebratory nature of the event. I even liked the sense of community and fellowship. I didn't like the male dominated hierarchy nor did I really like a few of the more enraptured folks who seemed a little looney to me. Overall it was an entertaining and welcome change to the neighborhood given most weekends just host the same junk street fair crap month after month. This colorful display had none of the soot and schlock and lots of festivity, color, and joy. We can all use more joy.