Paint the Town Red

On most days people fear getting a tomato thrown in their face, but not in Buñol, Spain on the last Wednesday in August during the festival of the tomato, La Tomatina, better known as the world’s largest food fight.

Every year over 40,000 people flock to the small Valencian town to hurl 100 pounds of rotten and over-ripe tomatoes at friends, foes and family alike. The fighting begins around 11 a.m., after a brave and agile sole climbs a greasy pole, the “palo jabón,” and cuts the ham hanging from it free. As soon as the ham hits the ground, a cannon sounds and the tomatoes start flying. An hour later, the cannons fire again and the tomato-drenched fighters drop their weapons leaving the world’s biggest batch of pasta sauce behind.

Fire tucks hose down the tomato puree river running through the streets while participants hose off themselves, the buildings and anything else that became a “casualty of war.”

And while it may look like a wholesome time, don’t be fooled. Things get rowdy. Clothes get torn. Shoes get lost. And acid is bound to get in your eyes. Tomato acid, that is. So if you’re planning to head to Buñol, Spain next year, it’s best to wear clothes you don’t mind ruining, shoes you don’t mind losing and goggles. Really, really good goggles.

So, who’s coming with me? I’ve always wanted to paint the town red. And taking a bath in spaghetti sauce? An added bonus. It might even do wonders for the skin.

Oh, and don’t worry about getting a black eye. They make you squish the tomatoes before throwing.