SEAFORD, Del. - In Sussex County, the Toledo family from Mexico upheld a cherished tradition for 22 years by making Rosca de Reyes, or King Cake, for the local community to celebrate Three Kings Day.
Three Kings Day, known as El Día de los Reyes Magos, commemorates the biblical story of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to baby Jesus. Brothers Jorge and Alejandro Toledo have played a central role in this tradition, preparing the special bread in their mother's kitchen in Seaford.
Jorge handles the planning, takes orders, and sometimes delivers the cakes while Alejandro works in the kitchen.
"It means a lot because that is also part of bringing families together. It reunites families or friends to cut a King Cake, that usually, since everyone works a lot here, we don't have a lot of time," Jorge Toledo said.
The Rosca de Reyes, adorned with crystallized dried fruits, red and green acitrons, and figs to symbolize the jewels in the Wise Men's crowns, contains hidden plastic figures of baby Jesus. Finding one of these figures while cutting the cake is a sign of good luck and the responsibility to host the next gathering.
"What it consists of is when they cut it, if they find the baby Jesus, they need to bring the tamales or atoles," Alejandro Toledo said, referring to Feb. 2 celebration of Día de la Candelaria.
The Toledo family makes between 100 and 150 Roscas de Reyes each year.
"It means a lot because we don't want this tradition to be lost for the new generations," Jorge Toledo said.
The Toledo family is committed to preserving this cultural tradition and hopes to continue it for many years.
