Puerto Rico celebrates Three Kings Day today

Today’s Three Kings Day festivities follow the conclusion of the 42nd National Caravan, which toured eight municipalities to promote the cherished tradition.

By THE STAR STAFF

The town of Juana Díaz is welcoming Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar today during the 142nd Fiesta de Reyes in the Román Baldorioty de Castro public square.

The festivities follow the conclusion of the 42nd National Caravan, which toured eight municipalities to promote the cherished tradition among children and adults across Puerto Rico.

This year, the Three Kings of Juana Díaz returned to Culebra and Florida -- towns they had not visited in 30 and 28 years, respectively. The caravan also made stops in Carolina, San Juan, Manatí, Patillas, Ponce and Juana Díaz, where the journey began on Jan. 2.

“The Fiesta de Reyes of Juana Díaz is more than a celebration; it is an act of faith, identity, and tradition that we have safeguarded for generations,” said William John Santiago Vázquez, president of the Juanadino Council for Three Kings Festivities. “Each year, we work to ensure that our people and visitors experience an event deeply rooted in our heritage, in a safe, family-oriented, and Christian environment.”

Today, on Three Kings Day, activities start early at the Casa Museo de los Santos Reyes. At 8 a.m., Grupo Legado Antillano will perform traditional jíbaro music, followed by the iconic Parade of Kings, Shepherds, and Townspeople at 10 a.m. The Proclamation of the Prophecies and Dialogue of the Kings and Shepherds will take place at 11:30 a.m., leading into a noon Mass celebrated by Bishop Rubén González Medina of Ponce.

After the religious ceremony, the cultural program continues with Grupo Senderos de Cultura at 2 p.m., Grupo Bomba con Trovadores, and evening performances by Grupo Casima (5 p.m.), Grupo Esencia (7 p.m.) and Tuna Romancera (9 p.m.). The grand finale will feature Plena Libre at 10:30 p.m.

The annual event has been held since 1884. This year’s celebration will showcase more than 150 artisans. The Municipality of Juana Díaz has arranged parking areas and public transportation routes for visitors, while the Puerto Rico Police will provide extensive security throughout the event.

Monday’s festivities began in the midafternoon with activities for children, including performances by Bostel the Clown, the Muñequitos Orchestra, and Pinocho the Clown, as well as the traditional distribution of boxes of grass (for the kings’ camels). The musical program continued into Monday evening with performances by Conjunto Sazón Criollo, Herminio de Jesús and His Orchestra, Danny Rivera, and the group Plenéalo.