Hundreds of people packed St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Main Street Friday night for the annual celebration.
 

Mayor Timothy Stewart offered opening remarks to the audience, and the history of the Three Kings was presented by Nancy Jordan.

It was a new experience for New Britain resident Jose Feliciano who portrayed King Gaspar.

"This is my first time doing this. I am doing this to make people happy." Feliciano said, "I help bring the day alive for them and show them the tradition. That’s important to me."

Alexis Lozano, who is originally from Cuba but currently resides in Hartford, portrayed King Baltasar. He said he believes that his participation helps keep the tradition alive, especially for the youth.

"It’s important that the children know their tradition." Lozano said, "I like to see the kids smiling, giving gifts makes me happy, and keeping the tradition alive for the next generation is something we have to keep doing, every year."

Organizers of the event proclaim the mission of the event is to promote an understanding of the religious and cultural celebration known as "Three Kings Day" among all children and their families through Latino and Puerto Rican dance, poetry and historical background.

New Britain resident, Luz Lopez, attends the event every year with her children. Originally from Puerto Rico, she said the holiday is celebrated very differently here.

"It’s fun for the children. I was born and raised here, but last year I went to Puerto Rico, and it was so different." Lopez said, "When we were young, the Three Kings were like Santa, we’d do the hay and water, and get gifts in the night. This here shows our tradition. But this is a part of our culture."

In anticipation of the procession, everyone turned their attention to the back of the church where the youth portraying young shepherds walked down the center aisle followed by the Three Kings, Mary and Joseph, and baby Jesus. Once the procession reached the front of the church, the ensemble posed in a nativity scene as a sole drummer boy walked toward them to an a capella vocal of The Little Drummer Boy.

In the tradition, children leave water and hay under their beds at night for the wise men’s camels the night before the holiday. In the morning they wake to find a gift in place of the hay. In Latino culture, Three Kings Day marks the end of the holiday season.

A the conclusion of the event, everyone was invited to gather in the basement for refreshments, more entertainment and food. The children were invited to participate in arts and crafts.

Franchone Fraser-Ben Reuben Bey can be reached at ffraser@newbritainherald.com.