On January 7th hundreds of children in Vieques, Puerto Rico, attended the 24th Three Kings Festival.

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, families gathered at Esperanza Park for a morning of music, storytelling, games, and creative workshops. All the children rejoiced at the arrival of the Wise Men at the park. These three famous characters arrived riding wooden-horses as a symbol of their long journey, according to the religious tradition.

Also, this year’s festival featured Oscar López Rivera playing a fourth Wise Man. Mr. López Rivera designed the special edition of the festival’s commemorative plate. As part of the ceremony, the Wise Men delivered a message full of hope to all children and parents. In addition, Ms. Adelmari Lassús, a local teacher, was the MC.

The festival honored local celebrities: Payaso Juglar and La Madrinita; and it also recognized Francisco Rivera and Grisel Barreto’s contribution. The latter couple has traveled for 15 years from Utuado to Vieques, just to be part of the event. The event concluded by giving books and non-violent toys away to all children present.

The Three Kings Festival was made possible thanks to volunteers from Isla Nena and Isla Grande and by different sponsors, such as HITN, and persons like Mike Nieves and Luis Alejandro Molina.

This traditional event has already started planning its 25th anniversary for next year, which will mark a quarter of a century celebrating a joyful tradition.