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Scenes from the 37th annual Phagwah Parade in Little Guyana

By

Stephanie Keith

Published Mar 24, 2025

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Three people with colorful powders on their faces smile.

Stephanie Keith for Gothamist

By

Stephanie Keith

Published Mar 24, 2025

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The mood was festive at the 37th annual Phagwah Parade on Sunday in Richmond Hill, Queens, as thousands of people showed up to cheer or ride floats — and throw colorful powder on each other as the parade proceeded down Liberty Avenue to Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto Park.

Phagwah is another name for the Hindu celebration of Holi. It's celebrated in the South American country of Guyana and the Caribbean countries of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

The multicolored powders thrown over one another signify the power of good over evil and mark the end of winter.

Stephanie Keith for Gothamist

Stephanie Keith for Gothamist

Stephanie Keith for Gothamist

“It’s just a celebration of life, of color, of belonging, and everybody being one and welcoming spring and welcoming in the new year,” Tamesh Sukul from Westchester said.

He said he comes every year to play drums in the parade.

Stephanie Keith for Gothamist

Stephanie Keith for Gothamist

Stephanie Keith for Gothamist

Sabatini Bipat from Westbury, Long Island, was at the parade with her family.

“For me it's about family and culture,” she said. “It's about all of us coming together to celebrate this beautiful festival of ours.”

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