- During the event, trucks unloaded up to 165 tonnes of overripe tomatoes into the crowd, and participants hurled them at each other while US pop songs blasted from speakers.
- Authorities covered buildings with tarps and deployed police, who at one point used pepper spray to disperse part of the crowd before festivities resumed.
- The event ends with a cannon blast, after which crowds wash off at communal showers and the streets are hosed down; the tomatoes' citric acid often leaves the streets cleaner than before.
- Non-local attendees pay 15 euros ($17.50) for a ticket, and the only rule is to squash tomatoes before hurling to avoid injuries; many wear goggles and earplugs.
- Many participants wear swimming goggles and earplugs for protection; once the hour is up, a cannon blast marks the end, and crowds wash off at communal showers while streets are later hosed down.
La Tomatina, held on the last Wednesday of August, transformed the streets of Buñol into a vibrant battlefield as thousands of participants hurled tomatoes at each other.
Trucks unloaded 165 tonnes of overripe tomatoes, creating a sea of red as festival-goers donned white shirts that quickly turned pink.123
The festival, which began in 1945, has evolved from a local food fight to an international spectacle, attracting over 20,000 attendees, with 40% being tourists, particularly from India, inspired by the Bollywood film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
Despite a brief disruption when police used pepper spray to manage the crowd, the festive atmosphere quickly resumed, with pop music blaring and laughter echoing through the streets.45
Participants paid 15 euros ($17.50) for entry, with the only rule being to squash tomatoes before throwing to prevent injuries.
As the hour-long melee concluded, a cannon blast signaled the end, and revelers washed off in communal showers, leaving the streets cleaner than before due to the citric acid in the tomatoes.68910
The festival's popularity has led to similar events worldwide, but none capture the spirit of La Tomatina quite like Buñol's annual celebration.
“Police used pepper spray to disperse part of the crowd before festivities resumed, and non-local attendees paid 15 euros ($17.50) for tickets. The event ended with a cannon blast, and the tomatoes' citric acid often leaves Buñol's streets cleaner than before.”
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