"I'm born and raised in New York, but from a Puerto Rican family and this is a tradition to come to the Three Kings Parade," said Carmen Villanueva.
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The 46th annual Three Kings Day Parade is presented by El Museo del Barrio. This year marks the first time it has been in person since the pandemic - creating a memory for first graders from PS 112.
"It's a big part of the community and culture," said PS 112 first-grade teacher Beth Darguin.
January 6 marks the 12th day of Christmas - or Three Kings Day, a day that's largely celebrated throughout Europe and Latin America.
"The three kings, the magi - bringing their gifts to the baby Jesus," said parade organizer Alberto Minotta.
The spirit of giving is something Mayor Adams touched on before the parade kicked off - in the context of asylum seekers.
"They came here and we provided them in the spirit of those three wisemen," said Adams.
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Out on the street, it was all about camaraderie and camels - all kinds of camels.
"It feels great to be able to come back out...it's just beautiful, a beautiful tradition," said actor Junio Alvarado.
It is one so many New Yorkers embrace.
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