Colorful paraders, loud drum beats and firecrackers initiated Boston’s annual Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown yesterday afternoon.

Thousands gathered to see the vibrantly decorated lion dancing, which began on Beach Street and branched out throughout the neighborhood, stopping at every business along the way to bring it good luck.

Shortly after 11 a.m., Mayor Thomas Menino and a group of local leaders including U.S. Representative Michael Capuano, Boston’s Postmaster and Chinatown community organizers, unveiled the U.S. Post Office’s newest stamp, which depicts the Year of the Ram.

Mayor Menino said Chinatown has ‘grown in prosperity … and every person in Chinatown has the opportunity to have a great place to live.’

‘It’s wonderful to see any group stand together regularly every year to celebrate [the New Year],’ Capuano said.

‘Gung hay fat choy,’ said Ricky Moy, president of the Chinatown Business Association, using the traditional Chinese phrase for ‘Good Luck.’

The official Chinese New Year was Feb. 1, but that day is traditionally reserved for family gatherings and other more reserved activities. This was a day of pure celebration, as smiling faces crowded around the constantly moving parade to mark the Chinese year 4701.

Firecrackers echoed through the neighborhood as disparate groups of lion dancers took to the stage and then entered various shops along the way.

‘The lions go to all the businesses and drive away all the evil spirits and bring them luck,’ said Frank Chin, chairman of the Chinese Community of New England.

Phuc Bui, 21, manager of Vietnamese noodlehouse Pho Vietnam on Washington Street, was delighted when the parade route made its way into his restaurant. Bui and his employees placed a glossy red envelope behind the counter in their restaurant containing a donation, which will directly aid local organizations.

To entice the lion to come in and adhere to tradition, Bui and his staff hung a head of lettuce over the arm of a large Buddha statue sitting on top of the counter. Other shopkeepers offered oranges. The lion dancers, outfitted in a shimmering red, white and green costume, pretended to gobble the lettuce and managed to entertain diners at the same time.

Outside the restaurant, 56-year-old Noah Mandell had driven to Boston from his home in Nashua, N.H. early in the morning to lead the parade through Chinatown’s maze of streets.

‘In previous years, we’ve had more firecrackers,’ noted Mandell, 56, a 30-year veteran of the parade and leader of the Wah Lum Kung-Fu School.

A firecracker accident a couple of years ago put a slight damper on Sunday’s firecracker activity, Mandell said. But that didn’t stop the incessant crackling on Washington Street as jubilant children and their parents looked on.

Ed Wong of Belmont, whose 11-year-old son Christopher participated in the lion dancing, said he has been coming to Chinatown for the past 30 years to join in the revelry.