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New York Persian Parade Proceeds Along Madison Avenue

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Persian culture and heritage were on display on the East Side of Manhattan Sunday, for what is billed as the largest Persian parade in the world.

The New York Persian Parade stepped off at noon Sunday, and proceeded south on Madison Avenue from 38th Street to 26th Street.

The 10th annual parade included representation of many Persian ethnic and religious groups, including Muslims, Jews, Zoroastrians, Baha'is, Kurds, Turks, and people of the Caspian region.

The NYPD Band also joined the parade, playing the Iranian and U.S. national anthems.

Many Iranians traveled across the country to take part in the parade, according to the parade Web site.

The parade coincides roughly with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which marks the first day of spring.

"Nowruz is all about hope. With the first day of spring, the New Year celebration represents rebirth and hope -- and Nowruz is a way for our children to celebrate and learn about their cultural background, just like so many other people in America have done," organizers said on the parade Web site.

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