(hnews) The holiday, celebrated widely in the Hispanic culture, is as much a part of Christian heritage as Christmas. Three Kings Day, also known as The Epiphany, is celebrated on January 6, twelve days after Christmas. It is often viewed as the last day of the Christmas season (the end of the 12 days of Christmas). Three Kings Day commemorates the Magi — by tradition, wise men Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar — following a bright star to Bethlehem and presenting gifts to the newborn Jesus. "They did visit Jesus Christ when he was born and gave him presents," said Art Gonzales, 80, of Torrance, California. "That's what we believe in." Hhe brought his two great grandsons, 6-year-old Krasny and 5-year-old Sergio, to the St. Michael Church Fellowship Hall on Saturday afternoon to take part in a communitywide Three Kings Day celebration. The event — organized by Latinas Unidas, Girl Scouts, St. Michael and the North Clinton Avenue Business Association — featured Latin music and sing-alongs, storytelling, crafts and a traditional meal of rice with pigeon beans, roast pork and cake. It also included a visit by "three kings" who handed out gifts to the children. Wearing purple, red and blue robes and donning crowns, the kings were played by Rochester Police Chief Robert Duffy, former Monroe County Executive Thomas Frey and business association President Albert Algarin. Despite the snow falling outside, about 100 parents and children participated. The holiday is January 6, but the event was celebrated Saturday so children could attend. The observance of Three Kings Day is important because it is a celebration of the Hispanic culture, said Daisy Rivera-Algarin, chairwoman of Latinas Unidas. "We felt it was important to continue the traditions of our motherland," she said. All over the USA while most of USA unwinds from holiday celebrations, Hispanic communities are preparing to commemorate one of the biggest gift-giving, church-going and traditional meal holidays of the year. ''El Dia De Reyes Magos,'' or Three Kings Day, falls on January 4. For immigrants from Mexico, in particular, this is the holiday that children race out of bed to open gifts and family cooks prepare lavish holiday spreads.

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