Cicero families flocked to Cicero Stadium on Jan. 6 for the annual Three Kings celebration, honoring the visit of the magi to the Christ child. It remains the final event for the town’s Christmas celebrations.
“This important holiday is a great end to such a wonderful season,” said Town Trustee Victor Garcia. “The visit of the wise men, much like the Posada, helps the Latin Community keep our traditions but also invites others to join in our celebrations.”
The Three Kings Festival featured performances from various Cicero dance groups, karaoke singing, and the reenactment of the magi’s visit to Jesus in Bethlehem. The first 500 children received toys.
“We love keeping our traditions, but also love incorporating Cicero’s tradition of taking care of our children,” Garcia said. “This is in big part to the great efforts of President Larry Dominick.”
Three Kings Day is held during the Christian holiday of Epiphany, a feast day celebrating the manifestation of God in Jesus. As part of the town’s celebration, families feasted on the Rosca, a traditional bread served for Epiphany, with the lucky few finding the special prize — a small doll of baby Jesus baked inside. In some traditions, as the bread is passed around the partygoers, whoever finds the doll will be the one to host the next party during Día de la Candelaria, known as Candlemas in some Christian churches. That festival is Feb. 2 and marks the end of the slew of holidays and feast days tied to Christmas in Western Christianity.
