It’s Always Party Time in Pinata Town

Glimpsed at the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Olympic Boulevard, L.A.’s biggest cluster of pinata emporiums is a riotously colored hanging garden of gaiety. From tamale cookers to loteria games, the produce and party vendors in the block-long row offer all you need to outfit a traditional Mexican party, including crystallized pumpkin, candied shredded coconut, fruit soda, dried chiles and cashews or peanuts.

“A three-pinata party is an upscale celebration,” says customer Miguel Osuna, who visits Saavedra Produce for popular star-shaped versions of the candy-filled, hanging paper-and-wire figures beaten mercilessly by blindfolded, stick-wielding partygoers. Animals are a pinata staple; then there are the goofy takeoffs on characters from popular entertainment. “If Barney is the latest children’s favorite, it is expected that you have a Barney pinata,” Osuna says.

Gloria Aguilar at Escamex Inc. receives more than 70 pinatas a day from suppliers locally and in Tijuana. “People come [to buy] from Hawaii, Phoenix and Washington,” she says. What about competition on the block? She shakes her head no. “We don’t all sell the same things.”

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Why a Pinata

“You don’t get a pinata just because,” says Victor Saavedra of Saavedra Produce. “There has to be an occasion.” Original pinatas were painted clay pots; according to some accounts, Marco Polo brought them to Europe from China.

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Top Excuses to Go Crazy With a Pinata

Birthdays, baby showers, baptisms and Christmas parties.

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The Rules

Birthday boy or girl goes first.

Players 6 years and older hit blindfolded.

Players turn in a circle three times before hitting.

Three strikes and you’re out.

Number of Whacks to Breaking Point

10 to 15 on average.

Killer Accessory

Decorated stick (about $1.50). Must match the pinata.

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Perennial Favorites

Traditional star pinata.

Hello Kitty.

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What’s In

Spider-Man.

SpongeBob SquarePants.

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What’s Out

Mickey Mouse (against copyright law).

Thomas the Tank Engine has also seen its day.

Topical Pinata That Is No Longer With Us

Osama bin Laden.