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The North Ward Center celebrated the tradition of Three Kings Day, or El Día de los Reyes Magos, on Thursday, Jan. 6.
The Latin-American celebration recognizes the visit of the magi who came to bear gifts to the baby Jesus.
Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. served as the emcee and shared some history of the holiday. He emphasized its importance in Newark since the city houses one of the most diverse populations in the state.
Three Kings Day has been an annual celebration at The North Ward Center since it was founded in 1970 by Stephen N. Adubato. Adrianne Davis, co-founder of The North Ward Center, said the celebration is a way to bring the community together.
“The North Ward Center has always been about serving the community,” Davis said. “This is just one of many ways that we have reached out over the years to celebrate the diversity of our community.”
The Robert Treat Academy choir entertained the gathering, performing, “We Three Kings” and the traditional Spanish folk song, “Fum Fum Fum.”
Robert Treat Academy Music Director Veronica Heinlein said while the venue of the center’s annual celebration varies from year to year, it remains a significant cultural holiday since 83 percent of Robert Treat students are of Hispanic descent.
“At home our whole family gets together and we don’t usually do that, so that’s why Three Kings Day is so important to us,” said Raquel Rodriguez, a seventh grader at Robert Treat and a member of the band and choir.
Gloribel Hernandez, an eighth grader at Robert Treat, explained what the holidays means to her family, adding that each year they enjoy foods like empanadas, pastellas and rice and beans.
“We get together and have dinner, it’s a time to have fun with each other and it’s also a time of giving,” said Gloribel.
A member of the Robert Treat Academy choir, Gloribel hopes to attend the Newark Academy in Livingston for high school next year.
Three Robert Treat students portrayed the wisemen by presenting gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
During the day’s festivities, The North Ward Center honored Sandra Rodriguez, director of the Newark Public Schools Office of Early Childhood.
Rodriguez spoke about her childhood memories of Three Kings Day growing up on Lincoln Avenue in Newark, a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood.
On the eve of Three Kings Day, the magi visit every child to deliver gifts. Children collect grass or straw and place it in boxes under their beds as a gift of food for the kings' horses while they rest in between deliveries.
Rodriguez said she has already begun continuing this tradition with her 2 year-old daughter Valentina. She helped her prepare a shoebox by gathering grass outside and in the morning her daughter happily discovered a toy.
“What I was doing for her was what my dad did for me, and what many of us do for our children - giving the gift of tradition,” Rodriguez said. “That’s the most important thing, that’s what Three Kings Day teaches us. I’m so happy to be honored.”
Pre-schoolers from The North Ward Child Development Center dressed as shepherds presented Rodriguez with a bouquet of flowers to honor her accomplishments.
Michele Adubato, the executive director of The North Ward Center, congratulated Rodriguez and recognized Ramos as a hero who epitomizes what every councilman should be.
“Every time we call him, he responds,” Adubato said. “He is a true hero of the North Ward.”
