Background
he
event is called the Christmas Train in the U.S. However, in Tecate and all
of México it is known as “The Day of the Three Kings” in commemoration of
the three wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus upon his birth. While
in the U.S. the traditional day of giving presents is Christmas, in México,
it is on the 12th day of Christmas, also known as “The Day of
the Three Kings”. So the Christmas Train arrives in Tecate on the Sunday
closest to The Day of the Three Kings.The City of Tecate organizes all of the on-site needs for such a large event. They provide security, first aid, a stage, a sound system, and personnel facilities, as well as arrange for the children to come to the train when they might otherwise be unable to do so.
The first year the train went to Tecate was 1998. That year 2,300 children received gifts. It has grown over the years. In 2006, over 6000 children benefited from the event. The Mayor of Tecate says, “This is the most important event of the year for Tecate’s children.”
