More than 22,000 people crowded the streets of Buñol, Spain, on Wednesday for the 78th edition of La Tomatina, the world-famous tomato-throwing festival. Over the course of an hour, participants hurled 120,000 kilos of overripe tomatoes, transforming the town center into a sea of red pulp, according to the Associated Press.
The event, nicknamed «Tomato Therapy» this year in reference to recent flooding in the region, combined loud music, laughter and the sight of trucks unloading bushels of tomatoes for the crowd.
First staged in 1945 as a spontaneous prank, La Tomatina has since grown into a major international attraction. After a pandemic pause, it has returned to full scale, drawing visitors from around the world. Organizers note that the tomatoes are grown specifically for the event and are unsuitable for consumption. Participants are advised to squash them before throwing to minimize injuries.
By the end, thousands left the streets stained red, rinsing off in communal showers as crews hosed away the remains of one of Spain’s most distinctive celebrations.
