Dragons took a starring role at the Lunar New Year parade in New York City's historic Chinatown on Sunday to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. A dozen groups displayed traditional dragon puppets, some stretching up to 65 feet (20 meters) long, held by up to 11 people walking beneath. Marchers yelled “Happy New Year” as red lanterns, classic cars, and local civic organizations, businesses, city agencies, and politicians were seen during the festivities. Asian communities across the world started ringing in the Lunar New Year on Feb 10. The rituals are centered around removing bad luck and welcoming prosperity. In New York, there have already been major celebrations in larger Chinese immigrant enclaves in Queens and Brooklyn. While the symbolic new lunar cycle ended earlier this week with the full moon, Manhattan's parade was scheduled for the weekend.