Mariachi bands and bejeweled revelers pranced down Graham Avenue as part of Williamsburg’s Three Kings Day Parade on Sunday in honor of the beloved Catholic holiday.
The 23rd annual parade, which took off from Graham Avenue by Meeker Avenue at 2 pm, featured live music, dancing, and marchers decked out in colorful costumes and billowing dresses. According to one onlooker, the parade was a fun celebration of the neighborhood’s Latino roots.
“I loved it. I think it was a great representation of the neighborhood,” said Williamsburg resident Julie Verdugo, who attended the festivities with her sister, boyfriend, and dog after hearing the parade’s music from her home. “When I realized it was for Three Kings Day, I was very excited.”
Three Kings Day, also called Epiphany, is a Catholic feast day that pays tribute to the magi who visited Jesus Christ shortly after his birth. The Jan. 6 holiday — celebrated on the 12th day of Christmas — is especially popular in Latin America and Spain, where Catholics bake special treats, host parades, and give children presents.
