An Abundance Of Color Chases Away The Winter Blues at the Holi Festival in Queens

**Colored Powder Was Sent All Across Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hills, Queens**

The start of Spring brings many cultural celebrations all throughout NYC. In keeping with a spectacular tradition, the Hindu-Caribbean community of Richmond Hills, Queens celebrates Phagwah, commonly known as Holi. Richmond Hills has the highest concentration of Guyanese, Trinidadian and Surinamese people in the City. One of the best parts of the parade is the spreading of colored powder among friends, family and total strangers. In this case, audience participation is strongly suggested. Just before noon, Liberty Avenue near the Van Wyck Expressway is closed down for one of the most fun parades. Floats are blasting music to get the crowd ready for an amazing experience. Prior to the parade kickoff, there are dedications and prayers by parade sponsors, the Federation of Hindu Mandirs & Arya Spiritual Center.

**Grand Marshalls Greeting the Crowd With Prayer and Devotions**

**Dancers Offering For a Peaceful and Joyous Celebration**

Holi represents the passing of the cold blah winter to spring where a pallette of colors awaits to splash all over the landscape. Holi is also the celebration of good over evil and the illusory nature of the material world. Although evil exists in the world, it can be contained through right actions and courage. Is that message needed more than ever today. Once the parade kicked off, floats with members of local mandirs invited revelers to the float to get a few flicks of colored powder. Some floats offered fresh fruits and snacks for the people to nourish on. The vibe was peaceful and loving, strong and vibrant. It is becoming one of my favorite parades for friends and family to take part of.

**Celebration of Good Over Evil….Amen to That**

This year, there were more floats and people than in previous years. One group that keeps gaining more movement is the Phagwah Social Justice Initiative. They are dedicated to causes of discrimination against the LBGQT community. The Guayanese community came out in force this year with more floats and dance music to keep the celebration with high energy. The parade route made it’s way to Smokey Park where a stage was set up for more festivities and colored powder where no one was spared. It was a fun time for both young and old. What was even more beautiful to watch was the passing of tradition from one generation to the next and just how well it was embraced by the next generation. Happy Holi.