article: Manhattan's Fifth Avenue was a sea of bizarre hats today as people celebrating Easter took to the streets in outlandish headgear. Whether they had just emerged from Mass, or were only there to bare their bonnets, the quintessential Big Apple thoroughfare thronged with color on Sunday afternoon. Bunny ears, eggs and flowers were among the more conservative adornments festooning the heads of New Yorkers as they milled around in a loose gaggle centered on St Patrick's Cathedral. Mad hatters: These parader-goers, pictured in front of St Patrick's Cathedral on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, were among the more conservative hat-wearers in the annual Easter parade . Flower power: One of these floral bonnets, pictured next to the Rockefeller Plaza, spouted bubbles into the sunny New York sky . Classic: Some churchgoers wore more somber and refined clothing to the Mass service at the Catholic cathedral . Feathery: This elaborate piece of headgear was sported by Doris Watlington at the Fifth Avenue parade on Sunday . One woman wore a large ship with blue sails on her head, while another sported an elaborate diorama based on the policies of Mayor Bill de Blasio. As well as Christians emerging from the service, led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Jews, Hindus, agnostics and atheists joined the masses for a walk on the mild, sunny day. Roses, industrial-style black goggles, as well as moving rabbit puppets also featured in the display, which didn't just involve humans. Mary Ann Smith, a local hatmaker who wore the ship-shaped hat, said: 'It's all about versatility'. Explaining the design, she said: 'It's about sailing to new heights,' said Smith. She also created headpieces for two friends, one topped with a massive butterfly and another with a tropical umbrella dripping with felt balls and anchored to a bird's nest. Just feet from the parade, the trio was tending to last-minute finishing touches, adding bobby pins to make sure the contraptions didn't topple. Kirsten Lee Sergeant, who wore the butterfly, said: 'It's Easter and I didn't want to be too garish. But then again, I do have a huge butterfly on my head!' Ship-shape: Hat-maker Mary Anna Smith wears an Easter bonnet featuring a blue ship, which she fashioned from an elaborate kite . Elaborate rabbit: This puppet bunny was another of the out-there headpieces seen strutting down Fifth Avenue . Commentary: This woman's hat was a diorama inspired by the city's mayor, Bill de Blasio . Starting young: Maelie Swanson, held by her father Jeff, enjoyed the chance to put her bunny ears on parade . Onesie becomes twosie: This rabbit enthusiast was captured next to a mirrored building on the New York street . In bloom: These colorful headpieces were typical among the revelers . Eggstravagant: These two women took the egg theme to its logical conclusion, wearing depictions in cooked and raw form . The 2015 Easter Parade bore little resemblance to the first one, which started in the 1880s as a strolling display of what prosperous New Yorkers wore to Fifth Avenue churches. In recent decades, the street gathering has morphed into a sort of costume circus - including pet dogs. A sizable subsection of dogs also sported elaborate Easter costumes, painstakingly designed by their owners - although some were so heavy they animals had to be carried around rather than walk. Carmen, a 4lbs Chihuahua, was not exactly happy with her getup. 'She didn't love this one because it's kind of heavy, and she won't walk in it. But if I carry her, she's fine,' said owner Melissa Mejias. A consultant to the city's Department of Education, Mejias dabbles in dog attire. She used a Simplicity pattern to sew Carmen's coat from one of her old shirts, adorning it with a flowery headband plus a necklace purchased from a company that makes accessories for tweens. And to make sure she didn't run off into the dense crowds, Mejias kept her on a bejeweled leash. As for Mejias, she wore her mother-in-law's old Easter hat to the parade, a dark red velvet one she'd pulled out of a closet. 'I'm carrying on that tradition,' said Mejias. Dog squad: Carmen the Chihuahua poses with owneer Melissa Mejias at the parade. She was apparently not a big fan of the floral outfit, and won't walk with it on . Easter puppy: These two dogs seemed happier with their colorful wings and hats as they joined in with their owners . Kids, too: Sasha Bryant, left, and her sister India were also along for the parade, with relatively restrained toppings . Loopy: Davey Mitchell poses for photographs as he takes part in the Easter Parade . Rising roses: Pata Luna Llano poses for photographs with her elaborate, wireframe decoration . Back in black: Markus Kelle departed from the bright color scheme, opting for goggle-style shades, a black plume and purple lipstick . Keeping it straight: Terrie Furukawa, right, reties the hat of her aunt Yotsuko Sakamoto as they take part in the parade .
highlights: Brightly-dressed churchgoers were on display Sunday afternoon in New York City .
  Hats ruled the day - featuring huge eggs, butterflies, bubbles, Bill de Blasio and a sailing ship .
  Even pets got in on the action, with a contingent of dressed-up dogs making an appearance .
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