The iconic Christmas market in Jocotepec
Hector Ruiz Mejia.- The iconic Christmas market in Jocotepec, taking place on December 23, 24 and 25, has a history of more than 40 years.
According to José Luis Carreño y Carreño, Director of Registration and Licensing and Regulations, as of December 8 there were roughly 60 confirmed merchants, of the 300 anticipated merchants, that will make up the Christmas tianguis.
The only requirement for registration, said Carreño, is to provide proof of last year’s paid permit and to pay the sum of 120 pesos per meter of display space. Vendors with seniority will be granted display space of up to five or six meters, with newer vendors limited to three or four meters of space.
Because of complaints of intrusion into public space, Jocotepec’s Christmas market will be held on the streets adjacent to the main square for the third consecutive year. «Some citizens requested that the space be free of street vending,» explained Carreño.
Carreño was also emphatic that the municipality’s only prohibition is the sale of gunpowder and rockets and explosives. But he explained that with a permit issued by SEDENA (Secretary of National Defense) certain merchants are allowed to sell up to ten kilos of pyrotechnics. Some of these permits result in abuse, he continued, because after the merchant runs out of their allotted 10 kilos, they continue to replenish their stock and sell over and above the allotted 10 kilos. “The City Council does not authorize the sale of explosives, but some merchants bring their SEDENA permit and therefore, we have no power to do anything about it,» said the official.
According to the Registration and Licensing and Regulations authorities, as well as the Municipal Clinic, each entrance to the tianguis will include health filters, and the traders will be monitored to ensure proper disinfection measures are taken. Visitors are asked to respect the health measures, but that «it is up to one’s conscience,» said the doctor.
Translated by MaryAnne Marble
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