Night of the Radishes

This evening is Night of the Radishes as celebrated in Mexico. The custom was established in Colonial days and became a formal annual event and competition in 1897. The wood carvers begin carving large radishes to attract the customers attention at the Christmas market held on the 23rd and has grown in size and popularity since that time. The nativity scene is a common theme of the carvings. The radish is native to  China and was introduced to Mexico by the Spanish.