Know About the Festival La Tomatina

The La Tomatina festival is on its way. Every year, as the month of August arrives, Bunol in the Valencia region of Spain begins to acquire a frenzied look. The name itself should indicate that the guest of honor at this important event is none other than the princely tomato.

The La Tomatina festival refers to a free-for-all street battle that is fought with the aid of around one hundred metric tons of tomatoes. With every Spaniard willing to contribute tomatoes for the eagerly awaited La Tomatina festival, truckloads of tomatoes reach the battle arena well ahead of time. The popularity of this event can be gauged by the fact that nearly 20,000 to 50,000 global tourists make their way here every year. Add around 9000 locals to this number, and you have a colossal crowd.

The La Tomatina festival was just a casual affair till around 1945. It gained official recognition only after 1952. The event is launched with the firing of a rocket. While the women are obliged to turn up in completely white apparel, men are expected to remain shirtless. The tossing and catapulting of tomatoes goes on for a little more than an hour. Once the allotted hour is up, another rocket is fired to signal the end of the battle. No more tomatoes are allowed to be thrown after the second rocket is fired. Workers get down to the job of cleaning immediately. After the red and acidic tomato sauce is washed away with the aid of hoses, the streets display an extra sheen and sparkle!

Now, it's not only the famous La Tomatina battle that draws such huge crowds. The major attraction is the week-long festival of food, music, dance, parades, and fireworks that follow the war with tomatoes!

Well okay, are you planning to be a visitor to the La Tomatina festival this year? Then, you better take some precautions to keep yourself safe.

Do not expect any help from travel agents, if you fail to book well in advance. If you are lucky, you might get a rented car to drive you from Barcelona to Valencia at the last minute!

Fancy shoes are a big no-no for the La Tomatina festival! How on earth will they stay firm on a road full of sticky tomatoes? Just wear sensible galoshes.

Your eyes will not be able to bear the constant stings of tossed tomatoes, unless you have a pair of swimming goggles on. If you are terribly apprehensive, use an entire mask to cover your face!

Wet tomato juice will ruin a camera which is not waterproof.

To be a part of the crowd-wear white and experience the fun side of the La Tomatina festival.

The La Tomatina festival is considered a global event because of its widespread popularity. If you are planning to be a participant, go armed with galoshes, a pair of sensible goggles, all-white apparel, and a waterproof camera.

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomatina

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/6093883/La-Tomatina-food-fight-the-annual-tomato-throwing-festival-in-Bunol-near-Valencia-Spain.html