THE THREE KINGS PARADE

We welcome to a new year, hoping that we leave behind the Covid nightmare we have been suffering since March 2020 -however incredible it seems, it has been two years of NO normality. And The Three Kings parade is one of the first festive events the younger ones wait for with great hope.

 

The sanitary situation created by the sixth wave puts again at risk the organization and development of the Parade. We must change everything that is necessary: routes, schedules, and stages to welcome Their Majesties as they deserve. The magic of the day and all the children’s hopes made it possible.

 

It was eleven o’clock in the morning. The catamaran that brought The Three Kings from Islas Columbretes, where they usually spend the night, headed the port entrance, sounding the siren and eliciting the merrymaking from people. Minutes later, Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar -with their appropriate masks- disembarked in the Plaza del Mar at the Grao de Castellón where Children’s Queen of the Festivities, accompanied with the first municipal authority, gave them the bread and salt, as a welcoming gesture. Immediately after, the Royal entourage moved to the Plaza de Sète, where a reception was prepared for the little ones.

 

Their Majesties’ convoy moved later through the city’s neighborhoods to welcome all the children and start the Parade at six o’clock in the evening from Plaza Cardona Vives. The Parade modified the route -from Gobernador, Casalduch, and Chatellerault streets to the Palau de la Festa- to move through wide streets and facilitate safety distance between the families who wanted to see the Royal entourage -Covid

things.

 

Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, accompanied by the Royal Pages, settled down in their carriages, preceded by bustling and colorist activities. We highlight, among them, the activity prepared by the Children’s Presidents and Children’s Madrinas of the Sector Commissions, coordinated by the Gestora de Gaiatas (management of the Gaiatas). While the Madrinas performed the well-known game “Guess who?”, the Presidents ran countless races in “Mario Bros Kart” mode. All of them were followed by a spectacular carriage, plenty of presents and toys for all the children of the children’s commissions of the nineteen Gaiatas. And, of course, our handsome Children’s Madrina, Alejandra Sáez, enjoyed her character in the game a lot.

 

Arriving at Palau de la Festa, Their Majesties, the Three Kings of the East, received the “Llave de Oro de la Ciudad” (Key to the City). A moment later, they addressed a few words to the impatient children that waited for getting close to them. The children wanted to check in person if the Three Kings had got their letters and if they would respond to all their requests, as far as possible, of course!

 

Sanitary conditions recommended not to celebrate mass events inside the venues. These measures prevented from doing the traditional visit of Their Majesties at Sequiol’s Cau, where in previous years they conversed with the young Sequiol@s and gave an advance of their requests. What a shame! Because all children’s Sequiol@s have been very good, we are sure they will have received countless toys in their homes. And the next year…

 

And the night gave way to the magical moment of the delivery of the toys to all the city houses. The little ones prepare the gifts for the Three Kings and their entourage -not forgetting the water for the camels. And very nervous, they go to bed because tomorrow waits a day full of surprises, joy, and a lot of hopes. These days, we miss it so much.

 

It’s a small step more towards Magdalena 2020; we all wait impatiently to enjoy it, of course, with responsibility if the conditions are favorable.

 

Fotos cortesía SEQUIOL

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*