Annual Three Kings Day parade brings music and culture to Williamsburg | Photos
The Three Kings Day Parade, a celebration marking the end of the Christmas season, is celebrated widely by the city's Latinx community and features traditional dancers. Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
People lined up along Williamsburg’s Graham Avenue on Sunday, phones turned to the street as performers danced in colorful outfits, retirees cycled up the clear street and floats blasted music celebrating Three Kings Day.
For the 23rd year in a row, the neighborhood celebrated the holiday that marks the end of the Christmas season with a parade and festival. The event, particularly popular for the city’s Puerto Rican, Dominican and Mexican communities, follows the history behind the three kings and their discovery of a guiding star that led them to the baby Jesus.
“This is something that we must never let die,” said Assemblymember William Colton, a regular at the parade. “These are the values, these are the conditions that make all of our families strong.”
With hundreds of people watching and cheering on, the parade took off from Graham and Meeker avenues, making its way 26 blocks down Graham to Broadway. Once they arrived at Broadway, a stage was set up to present the three kings and end the day with live music.
The official holiday is celebrated on Jan. 6, 12 days after Christmas.
Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
Chinelos, traditional costumed dancers from certain states in Mexico, move down Graham Avenue.
Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
The parade made its way 26 blocks along Graham Avenue down to Broadway.
Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
A mainstay of the parade is a group of retiree cyclists that slowly ride down Graham while honking their classic bicycle horns.
Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
Spectators cheered and danced along to music from the parade.
Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
Parade participants showed off flags and symbols from their own cultures along the route.
Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
Neighbors on Graham Avenue were quick to point their phones to the street to film the parade.
Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
A woman in traditional Mexican dance attire pushes a stroller along the parade route.
Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
Three Kings Day follows the history of the three kings coming to baby Jesus to present him with gifts.
Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
Once the parade got to Broadway, a festival showcased the three kings and celebrated with live music.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
One Response
The three kings give hope to children they can believe Jesus too.