The masses took to U Street on Saturday for the second Funk Parade, where the funkateers included a Council member in a giant pink wig, hula hoopers, the all-women’s drum corps Batala Washington, and Mayor Muriel Bowser, among many others.

Co-founders Justin Rood and Chris Naoum launched the inaugural event last year, but the city forced the parade to go around U Street. The diversion created such a tight fit that it was dubbed “the rally in the alley.”

This year, the organizers lobbied hard and won permission to bring the drummers and marchers and fabulous outfits to the middle of the iconic road. They also dramatically increased the number of performances and other events, which spanned the neighborhood and drew huge crowds.

“You’re never going to get to see everything, but it doesn’t hurt to try,” Rood said.

It was the first time in 17 years that the city shut down U Street (previous events included Mayor Marion Barry’s 1979 inauguration and a march led by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1964).

“It’s a kaleidoscope of visions around this central spirit of funk. The parade is the ultimate participatory collaboration, with every musician, dragon, and hand-clapper playing a part,” Rood said.

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