Three Kings Day celebrated in Rome
ABOVE: Lisa Diaz, 5, selects pieces to add to her crown for Three Kings Day. LEFT: Keila Vasquez, 9, helps Evelyn Jacoby, 5, put on her crown. Photos by Daniel Bell)
By Daniel Bell
More than 120 members of the Hispanic community in Rome and Floyd County celebrated Three Kings Day with food, games, music, toys, crafts and clothes Saturday at a fiesta provided by Angel Express.
“To me, it’s just really important for people to appreciate all cultures, because all cultures are beautiful in some way,” said Janet Baltzer, founder of Angel Express. She started the annual celebration 15 years ago.
El Dia de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings) is celebrated on Jan. 6 in Spain and many Latin American countries. The celebration, also called Epiphany in other cultures, is a Christian day of feasting which marks the 12th day of Christmas and appearance of God in human form, i.e. the birth of Jesus Christ.
Baltzer organized the first local celebration because she wanted to do something to help the growing Hispanic population in the area.
“Especially back then no one was doing a whole lot for that community,” she said.
The first year 25 people were present. The second year more than 200 showed up.
“I realized we couldn’t just open it up to everyone, because there’s no way we could provide for that many people,” she explained. Now the event is by invitation only, with churches and school counselors recommending the families that would benefit most.
Baltzer said a lot of families have been coming to the event for years, but she also saw a lot of new faces on Saturday. According to Baltzer, at least 15 different Latin countries are represented by people in the Rome area, and with the community not particularly organized, throwing a party and knowing who to invite is a challenge. But that’s where the schools and churches come in.
Children were treated to games, crafts, free toys and candy, and everyone got to take part in a holiday feast. Most of the food was purchased by Angel Express, but Panera Bread Company, Kroger and IGA donated food as well. The event is held every year at the Civic Center, which the City of Rome allows Angel Express is use without charge.
“We want to make them feel at home in our community and let them know that we care. It’s all so they can go home and feel like someone threw a party just for them. That’s kind of what Angel Express is all about,” said Baltzer.
Nine-year-old Keila Vasquez said she enjoyed making crowns and other crafts.
The event was being staffed by volunteers from the Junior Service League, a local organization with the goal of helping support children and mothers in Northwest Georgia. Much of the clothing that was given out was provided by the group, but current president Jennifer Bagby was modest about their efforts.
“(Janet) provided a lot of the clothes, we just provided a lot of the children’s clothing. We did this last year and just had so much fun we wanted to do it again,” she said.
Three long tables were stacked high with clothing to be given to those who need it. The Junior Service League supports non-profits throughout the year, and their semi-annual All-Star Follies will take place Feb. 6-7. Tickets can be purchased from any member of by e-mailing Follies09@yahoo.com.
Bety Abumdez smiles as her 15-month-old daughter Genesis Cortes waves with her crown on. Photo by Daniel Bell)
