Three Kings Day Parade Marches Through East Harlem
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The 32nd annual Three Kings Day Parade made its way through East Harlem today.
The parade celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany, which is held on the 12th day of Christmas and marks the arrival of the three wise men in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other elected officials lead the parade, which was sponsored by El Museo del Barrio.
While the festive event is most popular in Latin America and the Caribbean, participants say the parade reaches across cultures.
“I think the fabulous part about this event is not only does it help us pass tradition on and retain tradition in this community, which is so important,” said one participant, “but I also think the other part is that it shows the broader community, the non-Hispanic community the assets, the richness, and the culture of the Latino community and all of the assets that we bring to this state and to this city.”
“It’s wonderful,” said another. “I always come every year.”
One of the traditions of the parade, the appearance of live animals including camels, was in jeopardy because of museum budget cuts. However, a last-ditch fundraising effort by community leaders helped make sure they were part of the festive occasion.
“You can’t see the Three Kings without the camels and the sheep,” said Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Guillermo Linares. “So I think it’s wonderful to have the celebration; the children really enjoy having the animals.”
The stars of the parade are the three Magi themselves. This year, for the first time in the parade’s history, a woman, New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez, was chosen to portray one.
“I think even though the tradition is the three kings, I think the role of the woman and the Latina woman is such a significant one, the contribution is so great,” she said. “So it’s great to even though we honor the tradition.”
The parade ran from 106th Street and Third Avenue to Park Avenue and 115th Street.
Children then gathered at La Marqueta, a marketplace on 115th Street, to receive gifts of toys and books.
New details have been announced for the New York City celebration of the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. The inaugural cocktail gala will now take place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at BBRAXTON in Harlem (1400 Fifth Avenue at West 116th Street).
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