The Museo Del Barrio invites the public at large to celebrate Three King’s Day on the 35^th anniversary of their annual parade. The parade will take place this Friday, January 6, 2012, from 10:30am to12:00noon in East Harlem in Manhattan, New York.

The parade route begins at 106th Street and Madison Avenue and ends at 115th Street and Park Avenue. Admission is free.

The Museo writes: “Join us as we celebrate the 35th Anniversary of our time-honored procession through the streets of El Barrio. Spirit and joy abound as we parade with camels, music, colorful puppets, dancing, and parrandas on this magical day.”

Honorees for Three King’s Day this year are: poet/playwright Jesús “Papoleto” Meléndez, musician Johnny Colón, and Puerto Rican writers Nicholasa Mohr and Esmeralda Santiago. These individuals have been chosen to lead the parade for their “meaningful service and commitment to El Barrio and Latino communities throughout New York City.”

Jesus “Papoleto” Meléndez is a poet, playwright, performance artist, and long-time supporter of the Three Kings Parade, leading this year’s parade as King Emeritus.

Johnny Colón, of The Johnny Colón Orchestra, is founder of the East Harlem Music School. A famed pianist, trombonist, composer, and singer, Johnny Colón is widely considered the father of Boogaloo.

Nicholasa Mohr, author, is a best-selling and critically acclaimed Nuyorican writer and artist. Her first novel, Nilda, is celebrating its 38th anniversary of publication this year. Nilda tells of growing up in the Puerto Rican communities of the Bronx and El Barrio.

Esmeralda Santiago is best known for her first memoir, When I was Puerto Rican. The author, producer, writer, documentarian, screenwriter and essayist is an active volunteer and spokesperson for public libraries, Santiago has developed community-based programs for adolescents and has founded a shelter for battered women and their children.

For more information, see http://www.elmuseo.org/en/event/35th-annual-three-kings-day-parade