Now, I can imagine most of your are thinking this is going to be one of those crazy old traditions that has maybe 80-100 people and just a small table of food...WRONG.
Once in a year, in the town of Bunol, in the region of Valencia, (The University I will be studying at during the summer) tens of thousands of people descend on the small town of Bunol. Although this town only has a population of 9000, it is no surprise to see between at least 20 000 - 50 000 turn up to take part in this phenomenon.
In short, each year, on the last Wednesday of August, tens of thousands of people gather in the streets to throw TONS of over-ripe tomatoes at each other for exactly an hour. It has been estimated that around 150 000 tomatoes, or 90 000 pounds of the food are thrown in this hour.
The festival is a week long and consists of dancing, street parties, fire works and on the night before the fight itself, a paella cooking competition.
Perhaps the strangest and yet most interesting fact about this famous event, is that no one is quite sure as to how it officially started. Of course there are rumours that it was simply witnessing a group of children having a food fight in the street, no one is quite sure of the official reason.
I am SO excited to think I may be able to actually participate in this! Pictures below!
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