Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) are returning to SteelStacks Jan. 5, 3-7 p.m., to celebrate El Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), a cherished religious and cultural tradition in many Latin American countries. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.

During the Three Kings Celebration, guests partake in fun games and arts & crafts in addition to savoring delicious Latin food available for purchase from Holy Infancy Catholic Church. Families also enjoy live music, as well as sing along to Latin holiday songs. The Three Kings – Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar – arrive during the event to spend time with children and their families, presenting a gift to every girl and boy age 8 and under.  Children are also encouraged to dress as their favorite king for the ”Best Dressed King“ and ”Best Decorated Crown“ contests judged by the Three Kings, with several prizes awarded.

The Three Kings Celebration is a cultural program of ArtsQuest’s Latino Community Advisory Committee, comprised of leaders from the Lehigh Valley’s Latino community. Sponsors of the Three Kings Celebration include PPL, TD Bank, HOLA! Radio 1600 AM and Panorama Latin News.  The Three Kings’ gowns and costumes were designed and created by Pamela Ptak, the Riegelsville-based designer who appeared on Season 7 of the hit TV show Project Runway.

ARTSQUEST SEEKING CHILDREN’S GIFT DONATIONS FOR THREE KINGS EVENT

One of the highlights of the Three Kings Celebration is the arrival of the Three Kings, who come bearing gifts for the children.

Last year’s initial Three Kings Celebration at SteelStacks attracted more than 800 people, and ArtsQuest is inviting the community to help make this year’s celebration a memorable one for the hundreds of children expected to be in attendance by donating gifts to be shared with boys and girls ages 8 and under.

Donations to the “Three Kings Gift Drive” may be dropped off from Dec. 20-Jan. 3., noon-9 p.m., at the front desks of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, and the Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem. Gifts should be toys, books or other presents appropriate for children; they must be new, unwrapped and cost $10 or less.

“Thanks to the support of PPL, TD Bank and our other Three Kings Celebration partners, hundreds of children have the opportunity to experience the kindness and generosity that come with the holiday season,” says ArtsQuest Vice President for Community Partnerships Julie Benjamin. “Our hope is that every child in attendance will be able to receive a small present, and this gift drive is a great way for members of our community to help share the joy of the holidays with others.“

For more information on the Three Kings Celebration at SteelStacks, please visit www.artsquest.org.