Playing ketchup in Spain - thousands wage the Tomatina fight
La Tomatina is a Spanish festival usually held during the last Wednesday of August in a place named Bunol. The origin of this festival dates back to 1945 when some young people spent time in the town square while heading to the Giants and Big-Heads figures parade. As the young boys decided to take part in the parade, one participant's Big-head fell off amidst all the enthusiasm and joviality. He got so angry that he started hitting everyone around.
Since there was a market stall of vegetables nearby, the people started to hit each other with tomatoes until some local forces ended the commotion. La Tomatina has become a tradition and a part of tourism now. On the day of the festival, lots of tomatoes are brought to the center of the town, Plaza del Pueblo from Extremadura by 11 am. The festival is initiated after a person climbs to the top of a two-story high, greased-up wooden pole to reach the coveted ham at the top. As the fight commences, water is fired from cannons and there is chaos all around. After an hour, no more tomatoes can be thrown. People return and the streets get cleaned by spraying water from fire trucks.
