What is the origin of the traditional Three Kings parade?
How it all began: The first Fiesta de Reyes was celebrated on January 6, 1884, in the plaza of Juana Díaz, at the initiative of Spanish priest Valentín Echevarría, who arrived on the Island a year earlier as parish priest of San Ramón Nonato. Since then, the celebrations honoring the Three Kings have continued for 142 years.
In 1978, the Consejo Juanadino Pro Festejos de Reyes, Inc. was founded to organize the Fiestas de Reyes and the Caravana Nacional de los Reyes, which carries the tradition of the magi, shepherds and musicians to different municipalities across the Island. The group, made up of volunteers, also oversees the Casa Museo de los Reyes Magos, steps from the public plaza in Juana Díaz.
"Over the years, the different parish priests have embraced that activity because it is part of our church's tradition, which is the true celebration of Christmas, the Epiphany of the Lord, and that is what the Fiesta de Reyes represents," said William Santiago Vázquez, who has been president of the Consejo for 10 years.
Although this year's Fiestas will be affected by repairs to the Román Baldorioty de Castro public plaza, Santiago Vázquez said the festivities will continue as in previous years. For this occasion, the craft fair and food kiosks will be relocated to streets surrounding the plaza, and the stage will be set up in the municipal parking lot.
"For us it is important to keep the tradition in the center of town, remembering that (this celebration) was born within the parish of San Ramón Nonato," Santiago Vázquez explained.
Who are the Three Kings? According to Santiago, to portray Kings Melchor, Gaspar or Baltazar, a person must be a parishioner of San Ramón Nonato and, preferably, a resident of Juana Díaz.
It also helps if those interested are practicing Catholics, respected by the community and devoted followers of the Three Kings tradition.
The tradition in Puerto Rico: The Three Kings parade has been celebrated for 142 consecutive years, extending beyond municipal boundaries through its Caravana Nacional.
This year, the Juana Díaz kings will visit the towns of Ponce, Luquillo, Culebra, Carolina, San Juan, Manatí, Florida and Patillas.
It will also be the first time in nearly 20 years that the Kings have traveled to Isla Chiquita. "We were eager to return, and this Saturday, January 3, we will be sharing with our brothers and sisters on the island municipality," Santiago said of the milestone.
Beyond Puerto Rico: The southern monarchs have traveled across the entire Island and spread the tradition to other countries, including Cuba, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Spain, the United States and the Vatican.
The Fiesta de Reyes of Juana Díaz is considered the oldest religious-cultural festival in Puerto Rico.
"The people of Juana Díaz are very proud of (our tradition)… Juana Díaz is known as the 'Ciudad de los Poetas,' the 'Ciudad del Maví,' but everyone takes great pride in Juana Díaz being known as the 'Pesebre de Puerto Rico' and as the city of the Three Kings", Santiago Vázquez added.
See the schedule and program for the Fiestas and Caravana Nacional de los Reyes Magos de Juana Díaz:
Full Caravana Nacional itinerary:
Friday, January 2
10:00 a.m. – Sending Ceremony from Parroquia San Ramón Nonato de Juana Díaz
1:00 p.m. – Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen de Coto Laurel
6:00 p.m. – Parroquia San José de Luquillo
Saturday, January 3
8:00 a.m. – Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen de Culebra
2:00 p.m. – Parroquia Santa Gema de Carolina
6:00 p.m. – Parroquia Nuestra Señora de La Piedad de Isla Verde
Sunday, January 4
10:00 a.m. – Special Event – Capitolio de Puerto Rico
2:00 p.m. – Parroquia Sagrada Familia de Manatí
6:00 p.m. – Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Florida
Monday, January 5
10:00 a.m. – Parroquia Inmaculado Corazón de María de Patillas
2:00 p.m. – Museo de Arte de Ponce / Plaza del Caribe Ponce
6:00 p.m. – Parroquia Corazón de Jesús de Ponce
10:00 p.m. – Return to Juana Díaz
Detailed schedule for the Fiestas de Reyes in Juana Díaz:
January 5:
2:00 p.m. – Payaso Bostel
3:00 p.m. – Orquesta de Muñequitos
4:00 p.m. – Payaso Pinocho and distribution of small boxes with grass. (Courtesy of Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito de J.D.)
5:00 p.m. – Conjunto Sazón Criollo
7:30 p.m. – Herminio de Jesús y su Orquesta
9:00 p.m. – Danny Rivea
10:30 p.m. – Grupo Plenéalo
January 6:
8:00 a.m. – Musical Entertainment at the Museum (Grupo Legado Antillano
10:00 a.m. – Parade of Kings, Shepherds and Townspeople
11:30 a.m. – Proclamation of the Prophecies and Dialogue of Kings and Shepherds
12:00 p.m. – Holy Mass Celebration (Presided by: His Excellency Father Bishop Rubén Gonzále Medina, Bishop of Ponce)
2:00 p.m. – Grupo Senderos de Cultura
3:30 p.m. – Grupo Bomba con Trovadores
5:00 p.m. – Grupo Casima
7:00 p.m. – Grupo Esencia
9:00 p.m. – Tuna Romancera
10:30 p.m. – Plena Libre
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
