New York City's 40th annual Gay Pride parade takes place this Sunday on June 29. Organized by the Heritage of Pride organization, the march proceeds down Fifth Avenue and finishes in Greenwich Village, passing by the site of the 1969 Stonewall riots on Christopher Street. The march began just one year after the riots in 1970. Over the years it has evolved into a celebration of recognition for the battle against AIDS and homophobic violence. This year's parade marks the 40th anniversary of Stonewall riots and will be devoted to commemorating the event as a turning point in the Gay Rights movement.
The official step off for the march is at noon on Sunday beginning at 52nd St and 5th Avenue. While registration for the march is already closed, spectators can line up along 5th Ave from the 50s to the teens to watch the colorful costumes dance by and show support for the LGBT community. Large and boisterous crowds are encouraged to watch anywhere in the village. This year's Grand Marshal's are Dustin Lance Black, Cleve Jones, Anne Kronenberg and Governor David Paterson.
In addition to the parade, the annual LGBT streetfair called PrideFest will be taking place on Sunday. Between 11:00am and 7:00pm go down to Hudson Street between Abington Square and W14th Street to celebrate in the street with the community, local business owners, out-of-towners and volunteers.
After the parade, the grand finale event takes place at The Dance On The Pier at West 13th St and the West Side Highway. Thousands of party-goers and friends gather from 4pm - 10:30pm, when fireworks light up the sky over the Hudson River. This is widely known as the greatest gay party of the year.
Here are some of the craziest outfits that have walked the parade over the years... let us know what you think of them by voting in our slideshow.