More than 1,500 New Yorkers—and a few out-of-staters—dressed in colorful, quirky costumes shook their booties down Broadway Saturday as part of the third annual Dance Parade. In celebration of this cross-cultural form of self-expression, 115 organizations represented 53 countries and styles of dance including modern, contemporary ballet, African and roller disco. We’re not sure what bikes, stilts, gorilla costumes and hula hoops had to do with dance, but House Coalition, Rubulad and Fairytale Experiment had some of the best outfits in the parade. Of course, who can forget the mysterious roller mermaid that shows up every year to twirl about in her gauzy, aqua fins?

By the time the Pacha float made its way to Tompkins Square Park the festival had begun. Free dance classes and this year’s new social mixer gave festivalgoers their chance to walk it out, but the main event was the Dancefest. The four-hour performance showcased 22 companies and individuals and kicked off with Cirkulock, a circus street-dance group that did backflips off the stage, engaging—thankfully not kicking—the kids lined up in front.

Highlights are Eidolon Ballet, Nzassa Dance Company and Neville Dance Theatre. The latter melded their various styles into one dance including Irish step dancing and ballroom. Though it was hard not to feel like some of the performances were merely advertising for studios, watching the dancers’ agility and technique was inspiring and entertaining. The audience went ballistic whooping and clapping for NYC Bhangra soon after their dance had started. The 35 company members demonstrated just how fun this dance style is with their enthusiastic facial expressions and fierce moves. Their ethnic diversity and audience’s intense reception is proof that bhangra is becoming a more widely accepted dance form here in New York.

Dance Parade 2009 accomplished what it set out to do. It celebrated dance’s historical roots and created a community that cut across cultural lines. “We’re thrilled with the turnout.… It keeps getting more and more dynamic,” said Yana Landowne, co–executive director. “We’re really trying to champion…the diversity of dance as an expressive art form.”