Thousands revel in Spain’s annual tomato street battle
Some 15,000 people, including many tourists, pasted each other with tomatoes during Spain’s annual “Tomatina” street battle that takes place in the eastern town of Buñol.
Workers on trucks tipped 120 tons of overripe tomatoes into the main street of the town for participants to throw.
People hurl overripe tomatoes at each other during the annual "Tomatina" festival, in Bunol, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
A woman reacts during the annual tomato street fight in Bunol, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Workers toss tomatoes to participants in Bunol, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
The street fight leaves both the street, its houses and participants drenched in red pulp.
The town hoses down the area and the revelers shower off within minutes of the hourlong noon battle finishing.
The festival, held on the last Wednesday of August, was inspired by a food fight between local children in 1945 in the town, located in a tomato-producing region.
Media attention in the 1980s turned it into a national and international event, drawing participants from every corner of the world.
Participants use swimming goggles to protect their eyes and usually dress in T-shirts and shorts.
The party is ranked by Spain as an international tourism attraction.
Lead caption: A woman, covered with bits of squashed tomato, revels in a puddle of red pulp during the annual "Tomatina" festival, in Bunol, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
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