La Tomatina
La Tomatina is a time for the people of Buñol, Spain to have fun and throw tomatoes at other civilians. On the last Wednesday of August, the people of Buñol and other travelers from around the world gather for the largest tomato fight of all time. All of this started when a fight between some civilians and some police officers turned into a tomato war. As all of this was happening, other bystanders started to join them in one massive sized tomato fight. Today, travelers from all over the world are starting to participate in this mass event.
This event is also a tourist attraction to the small town of Buñol. The town only has 20,000 people. Before the actual day of La Tomatina, there are parades, food, fireworks, and street parties. The streets under the Medieval Bell are filled with tomatoes. Wine and food flow throughout the town preparing the townspeople for battle. They cook delectable paella in a cauldron at the Plaza de Pueblo, site of the imminent skirmishes.
Early Wednesday morning, shopkeepers and business owners along the Plaza set about covering windows and doors preparing for the massive battle. Trucks roll up loaded with juicy tomatoes. People are dressed in clothing that is most likely going to be trash by the end of the day. About 20,000 people prepare to be a part of the mass carnage that takes place.
The assault is a little less than half an hour long. The battle usually ends with the use of about 90,000 pounds that is hurled at just about everything. For visiting tourists, beware that anyone with a camera or a baseball cap is a main target. After that, everyone heads to the river to wash themselves and their clothes off.
This celebration is a messy, but enjoyable one. This celebration came from absolutely nothing and turned into a very large battle that is not fatal. People from all around the world still go to the festival making it larger and larger each year.
