Annual Three Kings Day Celebrates Unity and Faith

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – Karen Cadiz distinctly recalls one of the most prized pieces of her childhood: Her mom talking to her about the history of the Three Kings and all the magical wonders associated with the holiday that pays tribute to them. For several years she wanted the opportunity to share that beauty with her own children; Saturday she had the priceless opportunity to do so.

A nutritionist at the City of Poughkeepsie’s Family Partnership Building, Cadiz had heard about the popular Three Kings Celebration event the site hosts, along with its long-standing partner, Sun River Health, for several years. Finally, this year the timing was right to attend, and Cadiz could be spotted with her two children: Matthias and Riley, both wearing gold crowns and wide smiles while clutching hats filled with fun goodies provided by the various vendors.

“So far we are having a lot of fun being here,” said Ecuador native Cadiz, who also joined her children, along with many others, inside on the Auditorium’s stage, for some memorable, interactive entertainment. “We are all really enjoying the music and just being with all of the people here.”

That communal aspect was a huge piece involved in the vision of, as well as plan making for the Three Kings Celebration 15 years ago. A holiday that traditionally takes place in Spanish-speaking countries on January 6, the Three Kings Celebration is a tribute to the birth of Jesus as well as the three kings (sometimes known as Wise Men or Magi) riding on camels and pursuing a bright star to Bethlehem where he lay.

Equipped with gifts, the Kings, named; Melchoir, Gaspar and Balthazar, worshipped the “newborn king.” Guests learned about that deep history as well as were treated to a variety of traditionally-based entertainment, including dancing folklore with performers dressed in authentically crafted costumes as well as the dazzling voice of seven year old singer, Jonathan Cazares.

“I’m really excited to sing in front of such a large group, and I’m not nervous at all,” said Cazares, clad in a striking, blue Mariaci costume and distinct sombrero, as he proudly noted the famous Mexican song, “Mochila Azul,” he would be performing. “I really love to sing and make people happy.”

That sense of pure joy permeated throughout the Family Partnership Center. Children, many sporting crowns, could be detected outside the Auditorium getting their faces painted by a colorfully adorned female clown, giggling while enjoying the antics of another clown with a beaming red nose, and even having the opportunity to see the Three Kings, sporting traditional robe attire, up close and personal. Inside the Auditorium, all guests convened in a multifaceted program, and the event concluded with a much-anticipated toy distribution segment, producing priceless smiles. It was the very scene that Sun River Health, the event’s co-host and strong partner of Family Partnership, envisioned for this important, genuinely community-focused occasion.

“This day is to celebrate ethnicity, culture, and the representatives of our immigrant community in the Hudson Valley, bringing the community together while celebrating our children who are the future of our community,” said Gabriela Vega-Matthews, Board Member of Sun River Health, a non-profit health center that provides compassionate, quality and affordable health care regardless of one’s ability to pay. “We want the community to be represented, particularly in the health area, really knowing they have a safe place to go.”

By the looks of it, Saturday’s Three King’s Celebration, provided the inviting, precious format to those ends, along with much, much more.