Amid the freezing temperatures, brave parade goers welcomed in the year of the monkey during an annual Lunar New Year Parade in Flushing.
NY1's Clodagh McGowan filed the following report.
The cold weather didn't dull the spirits of attendees at the annual Lunar New Year Parade in Flushing.
"It's freezing cold now! I cannot move my fingers, I can barely talk but I feel so happy and excited," said one parade goer.
Crowds were sparse, compared to past parades, but those who did brave the freezing temperatures on Saturday said the multi-cultural celebration was worth it.
"It's good to come out and challenge yourself to see and see if you can take it and hey it's fun. It’s people getting together to have fun, it's great," said another parade goer.
"It's just really fun and it's very colorful," added a young parade attendee.
The parade also celebrated the first year city public schools closed to honor Lunar New Year.
In 2014, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law allowing schools to close on the holiday.
"This is now an official holiday of the state of New York. The Lunar New Year is now an official holiday and public schools will be closed in honor of the Lunar New Year and in honor of the Asian-American community and what they mean to this great state," said Cuomo before the parade kicked off.
This Lunar New Year is the year of the monkey, an ambitious animal in the Chinese zodiac.
"Monkey signifies smartness and vagility and people love the monkey to be more smart and also more kind, more funny," said one parade goer.
"Well, monkey is very active very smart, it's just a great year," added another attendee.