For well over a decade, Newark Councilman at Large, Luis A. Quintana has hosted a Three Kings Pageant & Celebration. For it's third consecutive the event was held at Essex County College's Cleo Hill, Sr. Physical Education Building.

Avon Avenue School was among the hundreds of invited students from the Newark Board of Education. Guests were able to watch amazing musical & liturgical performances by the best and brightest of the Newark Board of Education, including the Nationally acclaimed, Arts Latin Band. Sure, feasting on popcorn, ice cream, while getting their faces painted and taking pictures with the Three Kings was a good time, but their presents, donated by organizations and individuals from all over the state was definitely the highlight.

Avon Avenue School Principal shared, "This is an impactful cultural opportunity for all students. It's important for schools from other parts of our city to come together and gain a level of familiarity with each other, and what could be a better place to do that than Essex County College."

What is Three Kings Day?

Three Kings' Day, or Epiphany, celebrated on January 6th, marks the biblical arrival of the Magi (Three Kings) bearing gifts for baby Jesus, concluding the Christmas season; it's a major holiday in Hispanic cultures (Día de los Reyes) with feasts, parades, and gift-giving, where children leave out shoes and hay for the Kings and their camels. It commemorates the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles, symbolizing faith, hope, and generosity, with traditions like eating King's Cake (Rosca de Reyes) and sometimes receiving gifts instead of Christmas Day.