It's Tomatina 2012!
Tuesday, 14th Aug 2012by Annie Granger, Staff writer
Tomatina - Wednesday 29th August 2012 - Buñol
Spain is well known for its fiestas, which range from serious religious affairs to the frankly barmy. Buñol’s mass tomato fight - Tomatina - is certainly in the latter category and is an especially good day out if you’re staying on the Costa del Azahar.
What started as a small food fight between friends back in 1940 mushroomed into one of Spain’s most popular events. In 2012 they’re expecting up to 45,000 people hurling a mind boggling 125 tonnes of over-ripe tomatoes in an annual pilgrimage to plain silly.
Where and when
Tomatina is part of a week’s celebrations in Buñol, a small town about 30 minutes to the west of Valencia. The actual tomato fight takes place on the last Wednesday of August and this year it falls on the 29th August 2012.
Festivities are supposed to begin when someone very brave stupid, manages to climb a greasy pole and retrieve a ham from the top. This isn’t as easy as it sounds (!) and it's not unknown for people to simply give up waiting and start throwing anyway. Officially the pandemonium begins around 11am with the firing of a gun or firework.
Fesitivities start around 11am - good luck!
At that point it’s every man and woman for himself for exactly one hour. A second loud bang signals the close of the event and a permanent armistice - at least until next year.
The rules
The local council does have some rules:
- The tomatoes have to be squashed before throwing to avoid injuries.
- No other projectiles except tomatoes are allowed.
- Participants have to give way to the truck and lorries.
- The festival doesn't allow ripping off T-shirts.
- After the second shot indicative of ending the tomato hurl, no tomatoes should be thrown.
Please follow them - it's to keep things fun and avoid injury.
Pro tips for Tomatina
- Don’t wear flip flops - they’re likely to fall off. Closed shoes or trainers are best.
- Don’t wear anything you want to wear again. (You knew that.)
- Alcohol is just fine but put it in a plastic bottle. Glass is very bad idea.
- Avoid carrying valuables - things are likely to fall off arms and out of pockets during the carnage.
- Goggles are a good idea, or at least bring a hankie to wipe your eyes.
- Hang around for a leisurely lunch afterwards, it's a great atmosphere.
Have fun!
(photo courtesy of puuikibeach under the Creative Commons license)
Tags: costa del azahar, fiestas
Related holiday pages: Costa del Azahar, Monserrat, Valencia
About the author
Annie joined España Breaks in 2012 to source the best news and information from around Spain and manage the launch of "Hot Bits". She combines a love of Spain with a passion for writing, travel technology and a healthy addiction to social networking (she also runs our Twitter and Facebook pages)
Recommended holiday villas and apartments
 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Valencia, Costa del Azahar from £686p/w |
 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Valencia, Costa del Azahar from £471p/w |
 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Valencia, Costa del Azahar from £428p/w |
 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Valencia, Costa del Azahar from £334p/w |
 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Valencia, Costa del Azahar from £368p/w |
 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Valencia, Costa del Azahar from £386p/w |
Related posts
-
How to do Christmas in Spain
28th Nov 2012 by Richard Speigal -
Reasons to fall in love with Moraira
28th May 2012 by El Ship
