On Jan. 11, Miami’s Calle Ocho was full of life as families and community members came together for the annual Three Kings Day parade. This celebration honors the story of the “Three Wise Men” and the birth of Jesus. A concert and awards ceremony followed the parade, bringing together people of all ages.
The long-standing tradition, an integral part of Latin American culture, has been a part of Miami’s history for over fifty years. The City of Miami officials, including District 4 Commissioner Ralph Rosado, organized the parade to show off the city’s diverse culture and strong community spirit. After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event is growing again.
Parade attendees said it reminded them of the past and was important for keeping cultural traditions alive and connecting different generations.
“The Three Kings Parade is about family, culture, tradition, and celebrating the community,” said Rosado.
Kiara Lequerica is a second-year student at FIU studying Digital Communication and Media. Kiara aspires to work in sports journalism. Her Peruvian background shaped my love for telling stories and showing different cultures in the media. Besides journalism, her favorite food is ceviche, a popular dish from Peru.
Valeria De Souza is a sophomore at Florida International University, majoring in Digital Communication and Media, with a focus on digital TV and multimedia production. She is passionate about storytelling and hopes to pursue a career in broadcast journalism, working at a news station to help share impactful stories within the community.
Nikole Valiente is a junior studying digital journalism at Florida International University. When she’s not scouring the internet or obsessing over AP Style, the 22-year-old enjoys talking and sharing coladas with her close friends and family. Born to Cuban immigrants, Valiente aspires to be a reporter covering her hometown, Hialeah, the city of progress.
