Yesterday was the 27th Annual Dominican Day Parade. The festivities made their way up Sixth Avenue, from 36th Street to 56th Street, with tens of thousands of spectators cheering on the Dominican celebrities, floats, performers, and, yes, politicians (Mayor Bloomberg, City Comptroller Thompson were among those on hand) along the route. NY1 notes, "The event was originally held in Washington Heights, but has since moved downtown as the city's Dominican population grew."
And those wild looking costumed creatures? The Daily News explains they are "diablos cojuelo - or lame devils - in their long-horned masks and colorful, ruffle-sleeved costumes unique to the Dominican Republic" who "cracked bullwhips to thrill the crowds."
