Information to La Tomatina Competition in Buñol, Spain

Certain, you possibly can journey to music festivals, artwork festivals, and flower festivals everywhere in the world. However why do any of that when you may go to a competition that offers you free rein to throw juicy, purple, ripe tomatoes at whole strangers? 

La Tomatina is commonly billed as the last word meals battle, bringing collectively 1000’s of individuals from all over the world to the tiny city of Buñol in Spain. However why? Preserve studying to search out out — and study extra about how one can take part within the competition. 

What’s La Tomatina?

La Tomatina is a competition that, in response to La Tomatina Excursions, started as a complete accident in 1945 throughout an in any other case typical parade by the city sq.. Throughout the parade, there was a scuffle between an onlooker and a performer, and townspeople grabbed some produce from a close-by stand and commenced throwing tomatoes at them. And, such as you in all probability discovered in center faculty, these townspeople discovered that throwing meals could be fairly darn enjoyable. Tomatina.org disputes this story, noting the origins of the competition are a little bit bit murky, saying it may have been this or a spontaneous battle that began all of it, however both manner, not less than now all of us get to benefit from the enjoyable. They continued with the tomato tossing till it was banned within the early Fifties, and in 1957, the meals battle was introduced again and formally dubbed La Tomatina. And over time, it is develop into a reasonably well-liked occasion, so tickets at the moment are restricted to twenty,000 contributors. 

Issues kick off at 11 a.m. native time when a single firework goes off, and vehicles dump greater than 100 tons of tomatoes on the bottom all through the sq.. It turns into a mad sprint to seize and toss as many as doable over the following hour. Then, as soon as the hour is up, one other firework erupts, and all tossing should finish. 

There may be, nonetheless, another a part of this competition that occurs simply previous to the primary firework. That is when the palo jabón, a greased pole with a ham on prime, is hoisted into the air, and contributors can strive their greatest to achieve the highest earlier than the tomato battle begins. If the ham is retrieved earlier than 11 a.m., the tomato tossing can begin early.

The competition has additionally grown into way more and now includes every week’s price of festivities, together with musical acts, dancing, extra fireworks, and some different parades vacationers can take pleasure in. The competition at all times takes place on the final Wednesday of August, which means in 2024, it is on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Need to deliver small children alongside? The city has a devoted occasion for youths ages 4 to 14 on the primary sq. of Buñol, held on the final Saturday of August, with the mini tomato battle going for about half-hour. 

The place is La Tomatina celebrated?

La Tomatina takes place in Buñol, a small city within the province of Valencia. Whereas the city is definitely famed for the competition, there’s nonetheless extra to see and do right here, together with visiting its El Salvador Church, its Thirteenth-century fortress, its varied public inexperienced areas like San Luis Park and Turche Cave, and its native eating places.

To get to Buñol, guests sometimes make their solution to Valencia through its airport, prepare station, or roads. Vacationers can then hop on a prepare or a bus or drive the 24 miles from Valencia to Buñol (the prepare takes a little bit over an hour, whereas driving takes about 45 minutes, relying on site visitors). 

As soon as on the town, it is best to park your automobile and make your manner round on foot, because the slim streets make it troublesome to drive, and every part is in shut proximity anyway. 

It is necessary to do not forget that it is a actually small city, so in case you plan to attend the competition, reserving one among its few lodging early is crucial. There’s additionally a restricted variety of trip leases out there on websites like Airbnb, however vacationers can even choose to easily head again on the bus or prepare to Valencia, which is residence to many extra lodging choices.

Easy methods to Have fun Like a Native

The competition’s web site has shared a listing of guidelines to comply with to assist vacationers have a good time like a neighborhood. These guidelines embrace at all times respecting others, noting, “Whereas La Tomatina is a spirited and vigorous affair, it’s important to respect the house and bounds of your fellow contributors. Keep away from focusing on people who aren’t actively collaborating within the tomato battle, and be conscious of these round you to stop accidents or accidents.” 

The principles additionally state that “no international objects” are allowed as they might trigger harm to others. “Stick with tomatoes and depart the props at residence,” the occasion’s guidelines web page added, noting to additionally at all times comply with the directions of officers to remain secure. 

Importantly, the foundations additionally state that it is best to at all times crush your tomatoes barely earlier than tossing them for security and most juice. “To reduce the danger of harm, it’s customary to squish or crush the tomatoes in your hand earlier than throwing them,” the rule web page states. “This softens the affect and reduces the chance of inflicting hurt to others.”

The rule web page additionally added rule 5: “Have enjoyable.” It reads, “Bear in mind, you’re a part of a convention that spans many years and brings individuals collectively from all corners of the globe.”

Preserve the native vibe going by sticking round for just a few days to expertise the remainder of the competition and chat with just a few residents over wine and tapas, in case you can. 

Easy methods to Get Tickets

There are a number of ticket choices out there for anybody hoping to go to through the competition. First, vacationers can get a easy entry ticket for €15 (about $17) that simply will get them entry to the battle. Or, vacationers can add some non-compulsory upgrades, together with an equipment improve for €35 (about $38), which comes with some reasonably helpful goggles. Vacationers can even go for the everything-included ticket, which comes with entry to the Tomatina battle, a commemorative T-shirt, and entry to the after-party. See all ticketing choices at reserving.tomatina.es. 

What to Put on

As La Tomatina Excursions suggests, it is prudent to put on one thing you do not thoughts throwing away later as a result of no matter you resolve to put on will get completely wrecked. Nonetheless, the location added that many individuals select to put on white to showcase the “good purple of the tomatoes.” It additionally recommended that sporting a showering swimsuit underneath your outfit generally is a extra snug look, and a few individuals even put on goggles to guard their eyes from the acidic fruit. Simply make sure that to put on steady footwear that you do not thoughts getting very soiled. Flip-flops and sandals aren’t beneficial, as you have to some grip as soon as the tomatoes begin flying. 

Know Earlier than You Go

Pack the best stuff.

Be sure that to deliver a devoted outfit only for the tomato battle that you simply’re completely superb throwing away after (sneakers, socks, and possibly even underwear included). Be sure that to additionally deliver alongside a change of garments for after the battle so that you needn’t journey again to your lodge in tomato-wet garments. (You’ll be able to e-book a locker house forward of the competition to maintain your issues secure.)

Look and hear.

The tomato battle is, with out query, tons of enjoyable, nevertheless it can be a bit chaotic. Be sure that to maintain your ears and eyes open for competition staffers and hearken to any and all instructions given to you earlier than, throughout, and after the tomato battle. 

Observe the foundations.

Don’t do something that can put your self or others in hurt’s manner. Preserve all different objects — together with water bottles, keys, and jewellery — in a secure house to gather after the meals battle. 

Keep hydrated.

Talking of water bottles, it is a good suggestion to have one helpful for pre- and post-tomato battle hydration. Temperatures can get very popular and dry in Spain through the summer time months, so take just a few sips, then go forward and throw a tomato like a champion. 

Arrive early.

The group will get very, very crowded throughout the primary competition day, so if doable, attempt to arrive early. This not solely ensures you are in a primary place for the tomato throwing but in addition provides you an opportunity to get to know Buñol a little bit higher. 

Respect the locals.

Keep in mind that Buñol is a small city and that individuals really dwell right here. So maintain the battle inside bounds, cease when the second firework goes off, and maintain your mess contained, in case you can.