Padre Velentín Echavarría

Spanish parish priest Padre Velentín Echavarría arrived in Juana Díaz in 1883 at age 23 and became the organizer of the centenary Fiestas de Reyes. In 1884, after a revelatory experience, he gathered several parishioners and created the first Tres Reyes parade, held on January 6. The procession began in the northern part of town, today Calle Comercio, and moved on foot to the church with religious songs as young people portrayed the Three Kings and shepherds. Today, this festival is the oldest religious and cultural celebration in Puerto Rico and is considered part of the national heritage of the land.

Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico · United States