EBN- Have you ever heard of the tomato fight that takes place in Spain in the summer? The event may seem crazy to you, as it paints the destination red and spreads an atmosphere of fun and entertainment for an hour among the participants.
La Tomatina is a food fight festival that takes place on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Buñol, about 38 kilometres west of Valencia. Thousands of people make their way from all over the world to fight in the “world’s largest food fight” where over a hundred tonnes (metric) of ripe tomatoes are thrown onto the streets.
Swimming in tomato sauce and throwing tomatoes are all popular activities for this annual event, with 22,000 people taking part in the festival in Buñol this year.
History of the Tomatina Festival
The Tomatina Festival began in 1945 during a Giants parade. Some local youths got involved and a fight broke out in the street. This heated argument quickly turned into a food fight where everyone started throwing tomatoes at each other, officially starting the La Tomatina tradition.
During the festival, people are not allowed to throw anything other than tomatoes. Once one hour has passed, participants must stop throwing tomatoes at each other. Only ripe tomatoes are provided and must be crushed sufficiently before throwing. Participants are not allowed to tear each other’s shirts.
La Tomatina is the largest food festival in the world and has gained worldwide recognition over the years, becoming one of the most famous festivals in Spain .
The popularity of La Tomatina led to countries such as Colombia, China and Costa Rica hosting their own versions of the festival. However, the success has not been replicated; for example, it was banned in Bangalore, India, after being condemned as a “waste of food”.
Only ticket holders are allowed to participate in the event, so you must purchase your ticket first.
The hour-long tomato fight is a major attraction that turns the small town of Buñol into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.
The week leading up to La Tomatina is filled with parades, fireworks and cooking competitions in the streets of Buñol.
Participants are encouraged to wear white. Some travelers wear swimming goggles and masks to keep tomatoes out of their eyes and noses.
