What started off as a public brawl back in 1945, is today known to be one of the most popular and sought-after festivals, not only in Spain but all over the world! Curious about the famous Tomatina Festival? Read on!
The Inception
That’s right! Back in 1945, during a sombre parade, a street fight broke out when a local rowdy started pelting vegetables from a nearby market stall. Post which a huge crowd of youngsters gathered and retaliated to the same. This act was repeated next year on purpose by the same group of people, but this time with their own set of over-ripened tomatoes. This ‘tradition’ was broken by the presiding police officials but eventually they lifted the ban and rest, as we know it, is history!
The Location
August is the season for this festival, and naturally, you’ll see people flocking to Buñol, Valencia like bees to their cove. And where in Buñol does the festival take place, you ask? It’s observed, for years that people get to the city and head to the centre and just halt there. There’s really nowhere else to go! The crowd is too thick and the festival takes place everywhere in the city, as the party kicks off 11 am in the morning after the ham is caught. Before which, the groups prep themselves with some occasional t-shirt fight or water fights like our good, ol’ traditional Holi!
When the clock strikes 11, the tomatoes are poured down from trucks after trucks and the fight begins.
The Do’s and Don’ts
So, unless you want your favourite white top turn the pinkest of pink and the denims you never wish to part look like a rag, choose what to wear smartly. Pick what you’re most comfortable in. It could be a plain camisole, perfectly paired with your PJs or just a t-shirt you don’t have to worry about getting ruined! Dump the flip-flops and embrace the love of trainers. While they’re not entirely protective, it’ll definitely help your toes getting squished amid 50,000 mad bunch of people.
Moral of the story, don’t wear anything that you’d want to wear again on an outing. Tomato stains are hard to wash off, and what you’ll be blessed at the festival is definitely much more than a few stains.
PS: Wear white, even if it seems illogical because it’s a long-standing tradition!
Know That Tomatoes Are Going To Hurt
The first rule of the La Tomatina festival is that tomatoes should be crushed in your hand before being thrown. Secondly, if you don’t want or like to get hit by tomatoes, avoid going to the festival by all means! And for those who want to go full-on tomato crazy, aim for the ham pole and be prepared for things to get crazy!
And for those of you who can't wait to indulge in the biggest annual food fight of the world, join our trip this year for the La Tomatina festival!! Find out more on whenincity.com/spain-la-tomatina.
