One of Oaxaca’s most popular celebrations after La Guelaguetza and the Day of the Dead is called “Noche de Rabanos” (Night of the Radishes). According to the website, the tradition of Noche de Rabanos originated in the 16th century by a Spanish monk. Radishes were brought to the region by the Spaniards and the Spaniards wanted to find ways to include radishes in the diets of indigenous groups. A Spanish monk encouraged local farmers to carve interesting figures into the radishes as a sales gimmick to make them more attractive to buyers for the December markets. People then started buying them and would use radishes as centerpieces for the Christmas holidays. In 1897, it became a competition held on every December 23. Today Noche de Rabanos is still held and persons from all over the world come to Oaxaca to attend the celebration and view the creative ways radishes are carved. In the early 2000’s, the Oaxacan community began hosting the Noche de Rabanos celebration in Los Angeles. It has continued to do so every year on December 23 and it is held at La Paloma Market near USC. It consists of a radish-carving workshop and contest, music, dance performances and Oaxacan food.