Despite growing up in the U.S., I was gifted with childhood Navidad seasons in the patria of Puerto Rico and that meant not just Santa Clos pero also the three kings! The tradition based on the Epiphany, when three kings following a star gave gifts to the baby Jesus. Claro que when children put grass and water out for the camels of the kings, they don’t want gold, frankincense, or Myrrh (or socks and panties as my abuela Lila always used to give us, although I will accept cute socks and panties now, go figure).

So Feliz de de Reyes. If you’re in NYC you should head up to el barrio to catch the Three Kings Parade sponsored by el Museo del barrio, featuring community members, artists and activists. Deatils for the parade can be found after the jump.

11 am: Parade kicks off.

PARADE ROUTE: Third Avenue northbound from 106th to 116th, west on 116th to Lexington, South on Lex to 112th, west on 112th to Park, north on Park to 115th.

OUR 2009 THREE KINGS ARE:

Hon. Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez: We have a female King for the first time! She’s New York state’s Secretary of State, the first Latino/a to hold that position.

Luis Miranda: The founder of the Hispanic Federation, and the former chair of the New York Health and Hospitals Corporation. He’s also the father of Lin Manuel Miranda, the Tony-Winning creator of “In the Heights”.

Jesus “Papoleto” Melendez: One of the founders of the Nuyorican poetry movement, and a native of El Barrio.

2009 Parade Madrinas:

Carol Horowitz: an expert in cross-cultural health care and an esteemed internist at Mount Sinai, as well as a professor of health policy medicine.

Zenaida Mendez: founder of the Dominican Women’s Caucus, racial diversity director for the National Organization fro Women, and the director of external affairs for the Manhattan Neighborhood Network.

Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz: multimedia artist known for her portrayals of Nuyorican women.

Yvonne Pacheco: volunteer caretaker of the Modesto Flores Garden in East Harlem.

Leticia Rodriguez: Exec. Director of La Casa de la Herencia Cultural Puertorriquena, Inc.

Carmelita Tropicana: Much-lauded performance artist, playwright and actress, this Obie winner’s work makes light of her identity as an openly lesbian Cuban-American.

Aida Perez: President of Los Hermanos Fraternos de Loiza Aldea, an NYC organization dedicated to maintaining Puerto Rican traditions.

2009 Parade Padrinos:

TATS Cru: Famed graffiti muralists from the Bronx, they also have a long-time commitment to community volunteer work.

Victor Martinez: long-time dedicated volunteer at El Museo and Doctors Without Borders.

Rafael Toro: Director of Public Relations for Goya Foods, he’s led Goya in numerous community efforts, from food drives to toy drives, to meals for victims of domestic violence.

George Vargas: owner of Justo Botanica in El Barrio.

Emanuel Xavier: one of the most significant voices to emerge from the neo-Nuyorican poets movement, the author of Pier Queen and a long-term activist for gay rights as well as a major role model for gay youth.

Image Via / El Museo del Barrio