Three Kings Day celebration brings back childhood memories (+video)

Cookies and milk in exchange for Christmas presents from Santa is a longstanding tradition. But many Hispanic countries celebrate another round of Christmas presents on Jan. 6.

During the celebration for Three Kings’ Day, children place grass clippings and water under their beds along with letters to the Three Kings – or Three Wise Men – for the biblical adoration of baby Jesus.

The Three Kings take the grass and water to feed their traveling camels and leave gifts for children.

Kansas State University Research and Extension hosted a Three Kings’ Day celebration in Wichita for the first time on Saturday.

Elizabeth Brunscheen-Cartagena, family life agent for K-State Research and Extension, is from Puerto Rico and organized the event.

“It’s for the whole community to see how we celebrate and for our own kids to preserve that tradition,” she said.

She said she’s wanted to host a Three Kings’ Day celebration for several years, because many families don’t celebrate Three Kings’ Day once they move to the United States.

But, she said, “in our countries, it’s a big deal.”

Brunscheen-Cartagena said she moved to Wichita 19 years ago and was hired by K-State in 2010 to reach out to the Hispanic community.

She said she held the event Saturday because Jan. 6 is a weekday. She said she plans to organize the event every year and hopes it becomes more elaborate as it develops.

“One day I want to bring camels, but I don’t know from where,” she said with a laugh.

Saturday’s event included photos with the Three Kings, much like photos with Santa; a skit; musical performances; arts and crafts; cultural displays; games; and food.

The event drew more than 100 people, mostly Hispanic community members.

Albert Hernandez, who’s originally from Mexico and now lives in Wichita, said the celebration brought back memories from his childhood. He talked as he wound a wooden toy called a trompo, which he said was his favorite when he was young.

He brought his daughter to the event, who had learned about Three Kings’ Day in her Spanish class at school and through stories from family members.

“We don’t celebrate it here,” Hernandez said, referring to his family in Wichita. “I had kind of forgotten about it, so it’s pretty cool to celebrate it again.”

This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 7:17 PM with the headline "Three Kings Day celebration brings back childhood memories (+video)."