The world's largest art car parade rolled through the fourth-largest U.S. city of Houston on Saturday, attracting an estimated more than 300,000 spectators.

The parade, now in its 25th year, gave art car-lovers a rare chance to view more than 300 cars of every shape and design imaginable, from a giant Radio Flyer wagon, a rolling banana, to a giant metal dragon.

Parade entries include anything on wheels from unicycles, lawnmowers, to cars and go-carts. Participants are community groups, public and private schools, professional organizations, as well as individuals. "The Houston Art Car Parade captures the essence of Houston's eclectic and fun culture,"said Houston Mayor Annise Parker. "It is among my favorite events and one of the most unique treasures our great city offer."

Kerri Kepler, who built her miniature ship out of a shopping cart, said her art car was "a super fun project to work on." The parade day "is probably my most favorite day of the entire year," she said.

The Earth, Wind and Fire car was built by art students at a local high school in collaboration with the robotics class.

Participants were not only enjoying the process of transforming an ordinary car into a great peace of art, they also were participating to deliver the message that art is an integral part of everyday life.

For the spectators, they were taking a day off from their busy work as well as sharing the fun of the art cars made out of their creators' limitless imagination.

A mother who took her two children to the parade said though they have lived in the city for years, it's the first time for them to view the parade, because she is always very busy and have too many things to do.

"I think it's big fun today. I have not expected so many cars. It's a surprise to me," she said. For her two kids, she said the parade is good experience for the children's imagination. The children's favorite entry is the giant metal dragon which rolled down the streets as the last car of the parade.

The Houston Art Car Parade was born in April, 1988, with a 40- car parade seen by an estimated 2,000 spectators.

Participants in this year's parade came from across the country as well as from Canada and Mexico.

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