Dazzling Pictures From New York's West Indian Day Parade

The parade is a celebration of Caribbean culture.

The colorful West Indian Day Parade wound through the streets of Brooklyn Monday.

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The parade went down Eastern Parkway and ended at Grand Army Plaza.

Monday's procession was part of the West Indian American Day Parade & Carnival, which is in its 47th year.

AP Photo/Tina Fineberg

Emmanuel Pierre (right) and others in Monday's parade.

The celebration typically draws about 1 million people. Last year, organizers said it was the "largest cultural festival in the country."

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This year's parade began on a tragic note, however, after a man opened fire on a crowd before dawn. A man and a woman were struck. The Associated Press reported that the parade "often kicks off under a shadow of violence," with similar events happening before previous parades.

The festival is a celebration of Caribbean culture. The parade includes dancers...

AP Photo/Tina Fineberg

And floats.

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And more dancers.

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And people on stilts.

AP Photo/Tina Fineberg

And still more dancers, many of whom wore elaborate Carnival costumes.

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Other participants wore traditional dresses.

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New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio attended the parade with his family, and spent part of the festivities in mid-air.

AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

Actually, de Blasio and co. were doing the "smackdown" dance, according to the Associated Press.

De Blasio had an especially good time.

AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

It was de Blasio's first time at the parade as mayor. Last year, as a candidate, he received a "raucous reception," the AP reported.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also attended the parade.

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And so did these guys.

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Estimates put the number of New Yorkers of Caribbean heritage at 600,000 or more.

AP Photo/Tina Fineberg

Shaleca Whyte waits to take part in the festivities.

Many people come to New York just to see the parade.

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The festival began last week and wraps up Monday.