BREWSTER – Putnam Queens and Kings Celebration shared the warmth with Puerto Rican families who recently relocated to the region in the wake of the devastating hurricanes that ravaged the island last year.
The Studio around the Corner in Brewster was the location of Saturday’s gathering that attracted some 150 guests of all ages, from all walks of life and all religious backgrounds who celebrated the return of Santa to the North Pole.
For thousands of Latin American children, the gift-giving and receiving doesn’t officially end until the 12th day of Christmas known as the “Feast of the Epiphany” or “Three Kings’ Day.”
Children enjoy arts and crafts
Arrival of the Three Kings
Festival organizer Norma Pereira explained the festival was held to “celebrate the queen and king in all of us. Each person has his or her own majesty and we acknowledged that everyone has a gift to give.”
A variety of events and activities including the reading of poetry, holiday stories in both English and Spanish, craft demonstrations, live holiday music and a visit from the three Wise Men themselves highlighted the festival.
Rev. Travis Mitchell, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Brewster delivered a unity prayer while Yolanda Arce of Southeast called on all Americans to be united in assisting the people of her native homeland.
Arce recently traveled to Puerto Rico and described the damage to the infrastructure and countryside as being “horrific and terribly sad.”
The Three Kings – Jorge Fierro, James Shearwood and Pedro Vazquez, all local residents – even handed out ‘aguinaldos’ or small gifts to each child attending.
The evening culminated with a performance by the Parranda–a troupe consisting of music from various Caribbean countries including Puerto Rico, Cuba, Trinidad, and Venezuela.
The Parranda is regularly performed with acoustic guitars, drums, scrapers, shakers and turtle shell percussion in coastal villages of Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala.”
