Easter parade in NYC: Photos of the 2017 Fifth Avenue celebration

Thousands of New Yorkers flocked to Fifth Avenue for the Easter parade and bonnet festival on Sunday, April 16, 2017.

The parade, which kicked off about 10 a.m., stretched up Fifth Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street.

As part of a tradition that dates back to the 1870s, many attendees don elaborate bonnets and fancy outfits at the parade.

Marcia Morris, 65, wore an over-the-top hat, which she said her friend made, complete with stuffed bunnies, flowers and colorful plastic Easter eggs. Morris, from Oradell, New Jersey, said it was her first time at the parade.

“We’ve never been to the Easter parade before and we thought we’d just check it out,” Morris said. “And it’s a lot of fun.”

Morningside Heights resident Martha Wilkie, 51, walked around Fifth Avenue with her family, soaking in the festive costumes. Her son, 8-year-old Peter, was born on Easter Sunday — Wilkie calls him her “little Easter bunny.”

“We do it every year, we love it. It’s one of our family traditions,” she said. “It’s just fun and cheerful.”

And the Easter festivities weren’t just for the human attendees. Ami Schrager dressed her two dogs, Buttercup and Lukas, in matching bow ties. Schrager said she had a chicken outfit for them, but it was too hot.

“It’s fun to watch everybody else’s stuff. And the boys get to have their pictures taken,” said Schrager of midtown. “I love being part of something that’s so historic. It’s very heartwarming, and it’s fun.”

Scroll down to check out scenes from the celebration.