The rain cleared just in time for the Persian Parade to kick off on Sunday, April 23rd. Onlookers along the parade route were happily surprised to see singer Shahram Shapareh on a float. Shahram had played his farewell concert the previous night at Queens College. It was a wonderful occasion to mark the long career of an entertainer who has brought so much joy to the Iranian community in the diaspora. The parade included a number of beautiful floats and traditional Persian dance troupes. The dance troupe members wore colorful costumes of the regions they represented while dancing to traditional regional music.

SHAI sponsored the float representing the Kordestan region of Iran, the birthplace of Mahsa Gina Amini. The float was a beautiful tribute to the memory of young Mahsa as it traveled down Madison Avenue under the SHAI banner. Parade regulars New York City Mayor, Eric Adams – dubbed “the Persian Mayor” – and NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli marched, and were joined this year by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer who attended and expressed his support for the people of Iran. Also present at the parade were local dignitaries from the Persian Jewish community, included Deputy Mayor of Kings Point Hooshang Nematzadeh, New York State Supreme Court Justice Mojgan Cohanim Lancman, Great Neck Library Board of Trustees President Rory Lancman, and Rebecca Sassouni, former SHAI President and current President of Great Neck Public Schools Board of Education.

This year‘s parade was dedicated to the revolution taking place in Iran, and all of the Iranian flags included the slogan of the revolution, “Woman. Life. Freedom.” The message reverberated throughout the parade, and continues to resonate with each of us every day: Zan Zendegi Azadi!