Yesterday was the colorful, joyous and really messy Hindu celebration Phagwah (also known as Holi). The crowd in Richmond Hill had beautiful weather, and photographer Alec Tabak was on the scene for us—he says it was chaotic but fun (think "alternate universe Woodstock '94/'98"). Oh, and he added, "A kid poured baby powder down the back of my shirt" and then "his mother smeared my face" with powder.
About describes the festivities thusly, "Every spring, the Sunday after the first full moon of the Hindu calendar, Phagwah literally paints the streets as kids and families 'color' one another with dye (abrac) and powder and chase away the winter grays. The spirit--and high-jinks--are like that of Carnival. (Note - no dye or powder allowed on street or sidewalk, just in park.)" Uh, there was definitely some color action in the street, as you can see from the pictures!
Check out the crowd:
