NEW YORK (AP) — The Year of the Tiger has arrived in New York City.
Thousands of people crowded the streets of Manhattan's Chinatown to mark the Lunar New Year yesterday, stepping on firecrackers that popped amid floats and balloons in the parade on narrow Mott Street.
With a roar of happiness, spectators stood 10 deep in a neighborhood bustling with visitors from around the world. One parade marcher says residents are "looking to a bright future" amid signs of economic recovery and interest in Chinatown.
For the first time, a group of gay Asian-Americans asked to join the parade and did so peacefully.
A man who works in the insurance industry glanced at the nearly impenetrable crowd and commented, "this is what we've been trying to do for years — to bring more people to Chinatown for business."
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Julie Walker, correspondent
Thousands of people in New York celebrate the Lunar New Year at a parade in Chinatown. Correspondent Julie Walker reports.
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This is the sound of music being performed
This is the sound of of music being performed at the Lunar New Year parade in Manhattan's Chinatown district.
<<CUT …222 (02/21/10)>> 00:12 "prosperous New Year"
Jimmy Tsang (sang), organizer
Parade organizer Jimmy Tsang says the event is an opportunity to celebrate the New Year with the entire community.
<<CUT …223 (02/21/10)>> 00:05 "of happy faces"
Mary Napoles (NAP-ah-lis), parade-goer
Parade-goer Mary Napoles says she comes to Chinatown every year for the Lunar New Year celebration.
<<CUT …224 (02/21/10)>> 00:07 "during this time"
Irene Tung, organizer of Q-Wave, an Asian gay rights group
Irene Tung, a gay rights activist, says she's proud that gays and lesbians were allowed to march in the Lunar New Year parade for the first time as an organized group.
<<APPHOTO NYSW107 (02/21/10)>>
: Participants in the Lunar New Year Parade are surrounded by red balloons before the start of the parade in New York, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010.
<<APPHOTO NYSW109 (02/21/10)>>
: Participants in the Lunar New Year Parade get ready to start the parade in New York, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010.
