How It All Started...    

The Persian-Iranian Parade Foundation is a registered non-profit cultural organization devoted to organizing and showcasing the Persian Parade every year around the third week of March, and its numerous fundraising activities throughout the year in the New York metropolitan area. It has indeed started out with a stellar momentum for the past four years, as evident by its widespread media coverage worldwide. It has generated an uplifting sense of camaraderie among the Iranian Americans and equally strives to portray a much more balanced image of our community and the multitude of ways it has contributed immensely toward the advancement of life in the United States. The credit goes to a cadre of dedicated visionaries, enthusiasts, philanthropists benefactors, and civic leaders who have substantively extended their material, intellectual and professional resources toward a noble community project that has transcended the political, ethno-religious and socio-economic uniqueness of our community. The Parade is a cultural endeavor that has proactively been positioned to be community centered. However, in order for the organization to continue growing to become perpetual, the full participation of every community member in a certain capacity as defined by the individuals themselves, from donating a buck a week, to giving an hour a week of their precious time, in the context of the mission of this organization, is indeed meritorious. 

The Persian Parade Foundation idea was conceived in the fall of 2003 by a group of Iranian/American Physicians and their families to introduce the Persian culture to the New York Metropolitan Area. To put the idea into action, the founding members of the Parade filed the appropriate application with the New York Police Department and formed a non-profit corporation to organize the Parade in case their application was approved. The Parade application was approved in February 200. They now had only about 45 days to organize and run the Parade on Madison Avenue on March 24^th.

It was an enormous task, and was impossible to accomplish short of a miracle taking place, but with tireless work around the clock, a lot of sacrifices, financial and otherwise by the principles and all other Iranian/Americans involved, the Parade was ready to run and took place on schedule.

Some 7000 people showed up and lined Madison Avenue from 27^th to 40^th Street. The staging area was full of floats, people, music, horse and carriages and banners, which started to congregate as early as 7AM to be readied for the 12 noon starting time. Iranian (lion & sun) green, white and red flags as well as US flags were everywhere and created a very festive atmosphere along with Persian music and Iranian true national anthem of “Ey-Iran.” People lining up the Avenue as well as those taking part in the Parade were dancing and reminiscing and had tears of joy in their eyes. The Parade went very smoothly and was a very civilized devoid totally of any rowdiness and violence. Of course this was no surprise because we were representing a people and an empire with over 3000 years of recorded history.

Since the inception of the Parade, three more annual Persian Parades have taken place along the same route, and every year it has become more elaborate and more popular than the previous years. One reason for the Parade’s success is that it celebrates Noerooz, the Persian New Year. Noerooz has been celebrated in the greater Iranian plateau and Old Persian Empire which extended from the Indus River to the Mediterranean and Black Seas for over 5000 years and it has survived the onslaught of Alexander, the Arabs and Turks, as well as Mongols and Tamerlane. It is an eternal holiday which celebrates the restart of life in the spring and is a unifier of all people no matter what race, creed or religion. It is still celebrated by around 500 million people in the heart of Asia from western Turkey to the Wall of China.

It will definitely grow as a festival in the United States and especially here in New York. We ask all Iranian Americans and all others who love brotherhood of man, tranquility, peace and joy in celebration of life to support the Persian Parade and make sure that it flourishes, improves and grows every spring.

The following is a quick FAQ list:

What is the Persian Parade?

The Persian Parade was inaugurated on New York City's Madison Avenue on March 27, 2004 and has now become an annual event coinciding with the commemoration of Noe Rouz, Persian New Year.

What is the message and purpose of the Parade?

The Parade is an effective platform to enhance our community's moral image and unity and to showcase to the world the cultural, humanitarian, and literary contributions of diverse ethnicity of the people of Iran.

Is the Persian Parade political?

The Parade has already overcome the preconceived notion that the Iranian-Americans each respected for their own personal religious or political beliefs could successfully work together on a cultural and historical event that unites us all.

What are the sources of income for this event?

We urge every organization, business and individual to provide specific event sponsorship donations. This event provides colorful floats, combined with a display of colorful banners and balloons.

How much is the price of advertising?

Float - $5,000.

Banner - $3,000.

Balloons - $1,500.

How can we contact the Parade organizers to help volunteer?

Visit the Parade website for more information about volunteering and about meetings and other gatherings. Alternatively you can call (866)461-3093.

Is the Parade a non-profit event?

This event is a non-political and purely cultural activity. All contributions are tax deductible 501C-3.

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