Thousands of revelers hurled some 130 tonnes of over-ripe tomatoes at each other on Wednesday in the eastern Spanish town of Bunol, as the “Tomatina” festival celebrated its 76th edition.The tomato fight started at midday (1000 GMT), when six trucks loaded with tomatoes drove through the main street, distributing the sappy projectiles for an hour while partygoers threw them and covered each other in red juice. The Associated Press has the story:
Streets awash in red pulp in Spanish annual Tomatina party
Newslooks- BUÑOL, Spain (AP)
Some 15,000 people, including many tourists, pasted each other with tomatoes Wednesday as Spain’s annual “Tomatina” street battle took 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.
The street fight leaves both the street, its houses and participants drenched in red pulp.
Tickets for the festival start at 12 euros ($13).
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.
