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Clark County gave away 500 toys during its second annual D\u00eda de Reyes, or Three Kings Day, celebration, which saw more than 1,000 attendees on Saturday, according to county spokesperson Yazm\u00edn Beltr\u00e1n.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe turnout has exceeded our expectations, again,\u201d Beltr\u00e1n told the Review-Journal. She added that the county was the only government entity in Southern Nevada to host a celebration for the holiday, which is observed in many Latin American countries and commemorates the day, according to Christians, that the Three Wise Men visited Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis is only our second year, and the event keeps growing,\u201d Beltr\u00e1n said.<\/span><\/p>\n Like last year\u2019s event<\/a>, Saturday\u2019s festivities took place at the Clark County Government Center at 500 South Grand Central Parkway. Doors opened at 10 a.m., and admission was free.<\/span><\/p>\n Inside, staff unveiled a multi-foot-long Rosca de Reyes, or King\u2019s Cake, ornamented with candied fruits and jellied paste. Per the holiday tradition, some pieces of the bread contained a small figurine \u2014 meant to represent the baby Jesus \u2014 inside.<\/span><\/p>\n Usually, at D\u00eda de Reyes celebrations, whoever finds the doll is tasked with hosting the next gathering for the following month\u2019s D\u00eda de Candelaria holiday. However, at Clark County\u2019s festival, those who spotted the figurine in their slice got to leave with a toy of their choosing.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis bread represents the unity of the community, and attendees will have the opportunity to savor slices while searching for the hidden figurines \u2014 a cherished tradition that brings good luck to the finder,\u201d Beltr\u00e1n said in a Tuesday news release advertising the festival.<\/span><\/p>\n Circling the massive treat, families strolled the lobby of the building, holding plates of thickly sliced cake and goodie bags emblazoned with the Clark County logo. Colorful lights, balloons, and photo backdrops decorated the corridor.<\/span><\/p>\n Valeria Victoria attended the festival with her mother and two younger brothers, one of whom wore a golden paper crown and carried a Nerf toy in a box nearly his height.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHis cake had a baby, so he got to go in that big room and pick what he wanted,\u201d Victoria said, her mother smiling proudly. \u201cIt is all very exciting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Local organizations that partner with the county \u2014 such as the Discovery Children\u2019s Museum and CASA, or the Court Appointed Special Advocate program \u2014 also set up booths in the corridor. They distributed educational pamphlets and freebies like pencils and wristbands.<\/span><\/p>\n This year, however, activities were not limited to the indoor space.<\/span><\/p>\n As the line to enter snaked around the building\u2019s outdoor pavilion, some parents spent their wait \u2014 nearly an hour at one point \u2014 eating tacos from a nearby food truck and tending to children who slid down a bounce house set up at the edge of the lot. Outside, attendees were also invited to explore various health resources, including a mobile dental clinic.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are happy to have a bigger resource fair this year,\u201d said Beltr\u00e1n. \u201cLast year, we only used the inside of the building. To accommodate many people, we expanded outside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, kids ran in the grass, waiting for dozens of bikes to be raffled off to those who were not as lucky in finding a baby in their slice of rosca.<\/span><\/p>\n Vanessa Neri sat at a picnic table nearby with her husband, son, and daughter. Neri, who said her family attends many community events, called the event impressive.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s awesome because we\u2019re seeing a lot of different nationalities here \u2014 not just Hispanic people. It shows how we can all be together and learn from each other. Putting on something like this takes a village.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n