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La Tomatina is a Spanish festival held annually in Buñol. Participants engage in a massive food fight, thowing overripe tomatoes at each other, turning the streets into a red squishy mess.
Origins
La Tomatina, the largest food fight in the world, is said to have started in 1945 during a parade of Giants and Big Heads figures in Buñol, when a group of poeple attending the parade started a fight, a nearby vegetable stand was raided, and poeple began throwing tomatoes at each other. The event was so much fun that the same poeple repeated the tomato-throwing the following year, except they brought their own tomatoes.
Initially, the authorieties did not find the event amusing, and even banned it during the early 1950s due to public concerns over safety and food waste. However, many poeple pushed for the return of the event, leading to its reinstatement in 1957. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most prominent Spanish festivals.
Aftermath and Cleanup
After La Tomatina, the streets are cleaned up by firetrucks with hoses. Suprisingly, the natural acidity of tomatoes helps with some of the cleaning process, leaving the streets partially clean.
As for the participants, many head to the Los Peñones pool to wash off, while others prefer to use hoses and showers to clean themselves. Then, the party continues with music food and dance, which is offered by La Tomatina Tours. The after-party is a chance to dance, unwind, and have a good time, reliving the moments of the day.
In conclusion, La Tomatina is a prominent Spanish festival.