Castle Hill seniors celebrate Three Kings Day

Castle Hill seniors celebrate Three Kings Day

The Castle Hill Senior Center hosted its annual Three Kings Day celebration on the feast day of the Epiphany on Wednesday, January 6.

Members of the senior center staff dressed up as the Three Wise Men and more 200 seniors attended musical performances of Caribbean and Latin American music by Rotumba and the Willie Martinez Latin Jazz Band.

The seniors were treated to a lecture on the history of Three Kings Day, a popular holiday in Caribbean countries wherein gifts are given to children.

“The story of the three kings is something that all of our seniors are aware of and that very much synonymous with Christmas,” CHSC president Gerri Lamb said. “Whether the seniors are born in the Caribbean or in the United States, they can relate to the story.”

CHSC, located at 625 Castle Hill Avenue, hosts a Three Kings Day celebration every year. It has grown in size and scope, Lamb said. No longer are costumes used in the nativity reenactment hand-made by seniors. The seniors are now treated to desserts from the Caribbean and Latin America. Senator Ruben Diaz funded the refreshments. Assemblyman Peter Rivera helped fund the musical entertainment, CHSC director Emily Pelayo said.

“It was because of a cultural grant that we were able to get two Latin American orchestras to play here today,” Pelayo said.

The seniors enjoyed themselves.

“I come every year and it’s always a lot of fun,” Roberta Granch remarked. “The food, singing and dancing are very nice.”

For more information on CHSC, in the community for a half-century, phone (718) 824-8910.

Reach reporter Patrick Rocchio at 718 742-3393 or procchio@cnglocal.com