Three Kings Parade

While in the States we don't celebrate Three Kings' Day, it is a very important holiday here in Spain. Remember the twelves days of Christmas? Well it officially ends on el Día de los Reyes, the Three Kings' Day, or the Feast of the Epiphany, on June 6. It's when the Three Wise Men followed the North Star to find Baby Jesus and presented him with gifts.

Here in Spain and Latin American countries, the Three Kings usually come to the city and separate neighborhoods for a parade and toss sweets to the kids around town (not just Paloma's school ;-)) They come the eve of the holiday on January 5 as a precursor to the big day when the kids open the presents from the Magi. What great guys. 

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We headed downstairs to our neighborhood parade where Paloma and Fernando have their bags ready to catch some tossed candy.

Here comes the cavalry.

King #1! Now this is either Balthasar or Melchior.

They roll in like rock stars.

King #2. Again, Balthasar or Melchior. There are no physical details that really distinguishes the two. I think people just guess?

And the most rock star King of them all....Gaspar! We all know this because he's the one from Africa.  In some cities where black kings aren't available, they paint their face black. I've seen it.

I don't know why these kids get to parade,but they got on the party bus and toss hard candy too. They must feel so cool.

After the whole parade passes, a clean up crew follows as the caboose and cleans up the confetti and candy as if nothing passed by. Then people go about their business again. Nice.

Look at all the cavity-forming hard candy she got! She didn't even care for them afterward.

Afterward, we stopped by the bakery to buy some bread and check out all the holiday baked goods on display.

Traditionally, families share a roscon de reyes, where there is a hidden treasure somewhere, like a little figurine of Baby Jesus. We decided that these are not the tastiest pastries, so....

...we made our own this year! I found a recipe that was a little less traditional, but I still put a prize inside. The chocoholics of the family (Fernando and Paloma, and maybe Mateo. We don't know yet.) also requested some chocolate cream, which I put on the side.

Thanks for visiting!