Every year, La Tomatina falls on the last Wednesday of month of Augustin Bunol, Spain.
What is La Tomatina?
La Tomatina festival witnesses participants getting involved in throwing tomatoes to each other absolutely for fun and amusement. Each year, around 40,000 – 50,000 visitors make their way to this world famous food fight, expanding the native population almost five times. The original population of Bunol is 9,000. In 2013, it was restricted to only 20,000. Around 100 metric tons of tomatoes (over-ripe) are thrown during the festival. The tomatoes are brought at inexpensive rates from Extremadura.
No Entry without a Ticket:
You must get a ticket if you are excited to celebrate the festival. The ticket will also include $10 tax as Bunol’s Excellency Town Hall has determined to introduce this. The festival will continue weeklong where fireworks, dancing, music and parades will be never-ending.
How is La Tomatina Observed?
The festival starts around 11 am with a number of trucks full of over-ripe tomatoes make their way into the heart of Plaza del Pueblo. Then the chaos begins and there are firing of water cannons. Once it begins, then there is no stopping and the never-ending fun continues.
If you are participating in this festival, better to know some protective measures and wear gloves and safety goggles. Precautions are must. Moreover, participants are given strict information to squeeze the tomatoes before hitting others. The fun continues until water cannons are fired for the second time. This is the second signal to end. Most participants start throwing more and more tomatoes before they end up the festival.
The festival ends up in style. The evening becomes very colorful and vibrant as people from different places come and share not only one place, but also exchange words. Visiting Spain during this time brings unforgettable memories. If you are travelling with friends, then the fun gets double. Take extra care of kids as they are prone to get injured.
Here are how to play safe at La Tomatina:
Do’s:
1. Wear clothes that you won’t wear them again. Better you try on old clothes. They will end up getting ripped.
2. Squash the tomatoes hard before throwing them. This will not hurt while hitting.
3. Wear shoes that will not be worn again.
4. Wear goggles to protect your eyes.
5. Get water proof camera to take stunning photographs of the participants. This will ensure that your camera is safe.
6. Stay far away from the truck.
7. Book Spain Villas well in advance to stay comfortable and avoid any kind of rush and hassle.
Don’ts:
1. Don’t bring hard objects to the party as they might hurt the participants.
2. Don’t bring bottles as well.
3. Don’t throw the tomatoes sooner you hear the second shot.
4. Don’t try and rip other participants’ clothes.