Dressed in colorful robes and crowned in tones of gold, the magi stood silently and reverently as they offered their gifts to the Christ child during Mayor Eddie Moran’s seventh annual Three Kings Day celebration.
They maintained their regal composure even as hundreds of children rushed forward, one by one, to hug or greet them before choosing from a selection of age-appropriate toys arranged Tuesday in the lobby of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, 701 Penn St.
The wise men, portrayed by Nelson Moya, Isabell Negron and Yessel Reyes, are members of Grupo Folklorico Virgen del Quinche of Reading.
Children greet the Three Kings during the Three Kings Day celebration at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, 701 Penn St., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The group, composed of local residents with Ecuadorian roots, works to preserve Latino folk traditions.
Preserving folklife and customs was at the heart of the annual event, which also featured traditional music performed by Band Cantar Campesino.
Moran, who was unable to attend this year’s celebration, has said Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, is the biggest gift-giving day of the Christmas season in his native Puerto Rico and in many Latin American countries.
“I remember growing up in Puerto Rico,” Moran said at last year’s event. “This day was what I waited all year long for. I love the fact that we are keeping the tradition, the culture, alive.”
Children could pick out a toy during the Three Kings Day celebration at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, 701 Penn St., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The Christian feast day, celebrated Jan. 6, commemorates the visit of the wise men to the baby Jesus. The story is based on the Gospel of Matthew, which tells of the magi, distinguished men from the East, who followed a star to Bethlehem and brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, symbols of Jesus’ royal status, divinity and mortality, respectively.
Though the Bible does not provide their names, status or exact number, later Christian traditions identify them as three kings named Casper, Melchior and Balthaser.
In Latin American and some other cultures, the Three Kings bring gifts to children on Epiphany rather than Santa Claus delivering toys on Christmas.
The Cantar Campesino from Reading performs during the Three Kings Day celebration at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, 701 Penn St., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The mayor’s Three Kings celebration has become a true community event, said David Patti, special assistant to the executive chairman of Customers Bank, the event’s top sponsor since its inception.
“What the mayor has done, what he’s created and the spirit he’s brought to it — it’s not a political event. It’s not about public policy. It’s not about anyone talking about this side or that side,” Patti said. “It’s just, ‘Let’s go celebrate the holiday and experience the Christmas season through the full 12 days.’”
The blending of traditions brought from around the globe enriches cultural life in Berks County and strengthens community pride, Patti said.
Children prepare to pick a toy during the Three Kings Day celebration at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, 701 Penn St., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
“This is a place that still celebrates Pennsylvania Dutch traditions,” he said. “We can have pork and sauerkraut for New Year’s Day and celebrate Three Kings Day. They are not exclusive.”
The volunteer-run event was made possible through the support of Customers Bank, Axcess Industries, Savage Auto Group, DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, Matos Towing, TK Toys, La Mega, the Reading Recreation Commission and the Reading Parking Authority.