Hispanic community celebrates Three Kings Day
The spirit of Christmas giving extended well into January on Saturday as local Latinos shared with the community the cultural traditions of Three Kings Day.
Three Kings Day, which is celebrated in many Spanish-speaking countries, commemorates the day when the Bible says the wise men presented gifts to the baby Jesus.
More than 450 people gathered in downtown Cary for a day of festivities that included the 10th annual Three Kings Day Parade and gifts of groceries and toys given to 182 needy families.
The event was organized by the town of Cary and Diamante Inc., a Latino cultural organization.
“It’s important that we share our traditions with the rest of the community,” said Eduardo Neri of Raleigh, who marched in the parade with his 11-year-old son, J.P.
Three Kings Day, also called Epiphany, is celebrated Jan. 6. Instead of getting gifts from Santa Claus, children wake up on Three Kings Day to gifts left by the Three Wise Men: Gaspar, Melchor and Baltasar.
The Three Kings were popular figures on Saturday as children and adults rushed to have pictures taken with them. Darrell Stover of Cary, who portrayed one of the kings, said he looked forward to reprising a role he had played during the first five years of the parade.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to express their Latin American culture and to give groceries that we know will be put to good use,” he said.
Stover and his fellow kings handed out small toys such as cars to children who lined the parade route around the town’s municipal complex.
Evren Izzet and his friend, Sydney Gebhardt, both 7, gladly accepted their toys.
“It was a learning opportunity for them to learn about other people’s culture,” said Casey Izzet of Cary, Evren’s mother.
The tradition of children receiving gifts on Three Kings Day got a modern twist Saturday when 182 families were invited to the Herbert Young Community Center. They were referred to Diamante by Wake County Human Services and local churches.
Organizers gave away 20 children’s bicycles donated by the Cary Police Department. Rafael Reyes, 7, of Raleigh couldn’t stop riding around the room after receiving a bright red bicycle.
“It’s cool,” Rafael said.
Before the children and parents picked up their gifts and groceries from the Three Kings, they were encouraged to remember and celebrate their heritage.
“We want to help Hispanic families to continue their traditions,” said Juan Fuentes, a member of Diamante’s board.
This story was originally published January 10, 2015 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Hispanic community celebrates Three Kings Day ."