Three Kings Day Parade Floods Streets Of East Harlem With Culture
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A celebration was held Monday on the streets of East Harlem.
The 43rd annual Three Kings Day Parade began at El Museo Del Barrio early in the morning and moved into the streets, with people dressed as the three kings marching. They were accompanied by real camels, musicians, handmade puppets, and stilts walkers, CBS2's Charlie Cooper reported.
It's a celebration remembering a time when the three wise men visited Jesus. This year's event honored New York City's immigrant and migrant communities and their contributions here. It was about encouraging diversity and, most importantly, passing the religious and cultural tradition down to the next generation.
"Bringing together folks who have a strong commitment to an inclusive community that respects and values and honors the amazing contributions of every single member of this wonderful community," parade organizer Joe Rogers said.
"I feel like it's just important to raise my kids and let them know where they come from and a little bit about what our history is about," attendee Victoria Martinez added.
The celebration brought together art, history, and culture, and while participants marched, it was an opportunity for those unfamiliar with the celebration to learn more about it.
"It's something we pass down to our children's children," attendee Claribel Reyes said.
Nearly 4,000 people were believed to have participated in the festivities Monday, including dozens of elementary to high school students. Organizers said it's another way to teach them a part of history that may not show up in their text books.
"They're marching alongside the elders, so for them to actually not just watch and observe but to actually be a part of this great tradition is the best way to transmit cultural values," Rogers said.
With art and history moving through the streets, the experience was nostalgic for some.
"I grew up going out and getting the grass at night, bringing it back in. Those are some things I'm passing down to her," honoree Christian Martio said.
Martio was referring to the tradition of leaving grass underneath their beds around this time of the year. It's done for the three kings' camels to eat. It's comparable to leaving cookies for Santa Claus.
"Christmas is universal. This is more of a Latin thing for me, so it's kind of a little bit closer to home for me," Martinez said.
El Museo Del Barrio was founded in 1969 to give visibility to Latinos in New York and the parade is of its most anticipated events of the year.
