Three Kings Day Parade Manhattan 2010

Text and Photos by Ismael Núñez

January 6th Three Kings Day! In the United States it’s Christmas. On the Sixth of January it’s a celebration in Latin America. Presents are distributed, there’s peace and joy. The first major Latin-American festival as in every year rain or shine: El Museo Del Barrio, New York City’s leading Latino Cultural institution located in the Latin Community of East Harlem. For the past 33 years has held the Three Kings Parade. Despite the temperature being between 25 to 35 degrees that didn’t stop parents and schools from most of the five boroughs from attending the parade.

( Up ) (Click on any photo to enlarge)

As in every parade the first to speak are the elected officials. Mayor Mike Bloomberg started things off with a lovely painting of the three kings right behind him, joined by....

...(left to right) NY City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Council person representing East Harlem Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council person representing Washington Heights Ydanis Rodríguez.

Ms. Mark-Viverito speaking, Ms. Quinn, Mr. Rodríguez.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer was next. Like the mayor, spoke well yet needs to take a Spanish class. Maybe Aleida.net might help.

The Museum's poster for today's event.

Group portrait of some of the madrinas and padrinos. Museum Director Julian Zugazagoitia is in the center (no hat).

Museum Director Julian Zugazagoitia (left) and ...?

Like most Latino Parades there’s lovely floats. The Children Aid’s Society float and right behind them...

... another float of honorary Madrinas/Padrinos.

Contingent from K-407, P.S.108 in the Bronx.

There were people....

people...

Lions and Librarians...

The Guardian Angels marched along but in reality they were working...

Camels...

Sheep...

And afterwards free presents were given out, everyone went home happy. The Guardian Angels, the New York Police Department, stated "This parade is so peaceful!" Job well done. ¡Arriba! ¡El Museo!