At some point, people began to make sculptures from the radishes to make them more interesting. It became the custom to bring radishes made into sculptures to the Oaxaca market one December 23, right before Christmas. Originally the sculptures usually showed scenes of the birth of Jesus, with figures carved from the radishes. Nowadays there are many kinds of subjects that are carved from radishes. They include local buildings and figures doing local dances. The event has been turned into a contest, and a prize is now given for the best sculpture. Tourists come from many places to see these strang-looking sculptures. But because the sculptures are made of vegetables, they start to rot after a few days and they have to be thrown away.