The Hometown Heroes Ticker Tape Parade honored nurses, police officers, firefighters, doctors and other essential workers who helped to save lives and keep New York going during the pandemic.

Port Washington’s own Sandra Lindsey served as the grand marshal for the parade.

Lindsay, a nurse at Northwell Health, was the first person outside of trials to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States.

News 12’s Shari Einhorn was in Manhattan to check out the festivities.

Those who came out told News 12 they braved the heat to honor everyone who risked their health to keep the tri-state area running during the hardest times of the pandemic.