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La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Buñol near to Valencia in Spain. Thousands upon thousands of people make their way from all corners of the world to fight in this ‘World’s Biggest Food Fight’ where more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets.
Prior to 2013 anywhere from 40,000 to 50,000 (reported to be 50,000 in 2012) people crammed into this huge tomato fight, greatly expanding Bunol’s normal 9,000 person population. Since 2013 official ticketing has been in place limiting the number of participants to just 20,000 lucky people.
There is limited accommodation for people who come to La Tomatina, so many people take the easier option of staying in nearby Valencia just 38km to Bunol by bus or train. In preparation for the dirty mess that will ensue, shopkeepers use huge plastic covers on their storefronts in order to protect them from the carnage.
If you’re joining some rules/pieces of advice:
- Wear white. Don’t expect is to be used ever again, you won’t be able to get all the tomatojuices out.
- Wear decent shoes. Flip-flops are not your friend. The streets become extremely slippery, so dress accordingly.
- Wear goggles. Tomatoes fly everywhere, be careful not te be hit in the eye. The juices might irritate your eyes, be prepared. -
- Have a bottle of water to rinse out your eyse.
- Don’t get upset when groups “gang-up” on you. It’s usually a sign you haven’t been targeted enough, i.e. you’re too clean, and that has to be remedied.
- ENJOY
