Local Travel Tip

As Martin Luther King Day approaches and another three day weekend arrives many people see an opportunity to travel. The only question is where. Here are some educational and fun ideas for vacations over the holiday:

1. Chicago, Illinois: Chicago will be hosting Mavis Staples, a gospel singer, in a Concert Monday at noon. The DuSable Museum of African American History is also located here and will be supporting various activities as will the local university.
2.  Cincinnati, Ohio: The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is now located in Cincinnati. This is a fairly new museum and it will be open on Saturday. The Universities in Cincinnati will also be hosting a variety of events.
3. New York, New York: What better place is there to spend a day commemorating rights and freedom that the place where thousands of immigrants began a life of freedom? New York will be hosting a variety of performances and parades.
4. Tampa Bay, Florida: Tampa Bay will be hosting their annual Black Heritage Festival. This year marks the 10th anniversary of this two day tradition. The festival hosts a 2K walk/run for cancer, music, food, arts and crafts, and a children’s village among many other things.

Martin Luther King Day commemorates an important part of America’s history. Even though there is no school that day, it is a very important day to educate our children about why we have this holiday.

Still not ready for Christmas to be over? Travel to Latin America where most countries are still celebrating, at least until the 6^th of January. This day is known as the Three King’s Day and will officially end the 12 days of Christmas. This holiday celebrates when the Three Wise Men took gifts to the baby Jesus.

Traditionally, the children celebrating this holiday will write a letter to the Three Kings asking for what they want and explaining how they have been good this year. This is very similar to how children in America will write letters to Santa Claus. Then, the children will tie the letter to a balloon and light it on fire, so that it will burn as it flies away. The smoke will relay their message to the Three Kings. Or the children will place the letter in a shoe next to the Nativity or a Christmas Tree.

Then, similar to how children in America leave out cookies for Santa, children in Latin America will put hay in their shoes for the Three Kings camels and leave out water and other food for the Kings.

The children will wake up on January 6^th to find presents, instead of the hay, water, and food they left out the previous night.

The rest of the day is typically spent with family and friends. The Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread in the shape of a crown with fruit in it is also traditionally served with hot chocolate. Typically there is a small doll that is place within the bread, that represents the Christ child.Whoever finds the doll will host Candlemas Day on February 2^nd.

This holiday is also celebrated in Goa, India at the Reis Magos church with a feast  of the Three Kings.