When Chapala’s new Public Safety Commander Amador Bahena Pinzon learned about the tradition of Chapala police officers handing out apples to children on Three Kings Day, he enthusiastically felt it served an important public service and should continue again this year.
In addition to supporting the event, the Chapala Police Department this year decided to add an extra component, one that was much appreciated by local children. Instead of simply handing out apples, as has been the practice in past years, Chapala police officers donated a large collection of toys to hand out to children along with the apples. The additional gifts added to the excitement the children experienced by participating in this annual event.
The gift-giving took place in Chapala around noon on January 6, amid a large gathering of parents and children who had converged near the Malecon to enjoy the festivities. All were excited at the pending arrival of the Three Kings, symbolically representing the arrival of the three Wise Men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus.
Meanwhile, the cost of the apples for this year’s event was financed through the support of Chapala’s American Legion Post 7.