Chinese New Year Parade in Washington D.C.
Participating in the Chinese New Year Parade in Washington D.C. are Miss District of Columbia Haely Jardas, and Miss Distict of Columbia Teen Jade Parchment. Despite subfreezing temperatures, thousands turned out in the Chinatown neighborhood in Washington D.C. to welcome the Chinese Lunar Year of the Monkey with a colorful parade on Sunday, February 14, 2016 featuring Chinese lion and dragon dances, musical performances, youth groups, marching bands and beauty queens. Haely Anne Jardas is an American actress and beauty pageant titleholder from Fort Myers, Florida, who was crowned Miss District of Columbia 2015. She competed for the Miss America 2016 title in September 2015. Jade Parchment was crowned Miss District of Columbia's Outstanding Teen on June 14, 2015 and competed for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen in July 2015 in Orlando, Florida. Jade's platform is Uncovering the Truth About Elder Abuse and Neglect, and she is an accomplished drummer and volleyball player. (Photo by Jeff Malet)