Lily Haight

Hundreds of balloons escaped into the air, confetti littered the slushy sidewalks, and children dressed up like goats for the Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown on Sunday.

The sun and slightly warmer temperatures made the celebrations more joyful, as light danced off of the glittery confetti, snow and ice started to melt, and the people in costume did not freeze to death.

The parade began by walking down Mott Street. Confetti cannons were being sold on every street corner.

People on floats played music, yelled “Happy New Year!” and unloaded more confetti guns.

I was confused for a while about whether it is the Year of the Goat, Sheep, or Ram, but it turns out that it is all three. The Chinese symbol for these animals is the same (羊) but typically art (like Chinese zodiac stamps) and paper cuttings portray an animal that looks most like a goat.

A battalion of children dressed up like goats did a dance routine for the crowds.

Dragons danced down Mott Street to bring good luck in the New Year.