Revellers throw tomatoes at each other during the annual “Tomatina” tomato fight fiesta, in the village of Bunol near Valencia, Spain, on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Thousands gather in this eastern Spanish town for the annual street tomato battle that leaves the streets and participants drenched in red pulp from over 120 tons of tomatoes. Associated Press

Alberto Saiz

BUÑOL, Spain — Some 15,000 people, including many tourists, pasted each other with tomatoes Wednesday as Spain’s annual “Tomatina” street battle took place in the eastern town of Buñol.

Workers on trucks tipped over 120 tons of overripe tomatoes into the main street of the town for participants to throw.

The street fight leaves both the street, its houses and participants drenched in red pulp.

Tickets for the festival start at about $13.

The town hoses down the area and the revelers shower off within minutes of the hourlong battle finishing.

The festival, held on the last Wednesday of August, was inspired by a food fight between local children in 1945 in the town, located in a tomato-producing region.

Media attention in the 1980s turned it into a national and international event, drawing participants from every corner of the world.

Participants use swimming goggles to protect their eyes and usually dress in T-shirts and shorts.

The party is ranked by Spain as an international tourism attraction.

Revelers throw tomatoes at each other during the annual “Tomatina,” a tomato fight fiesta, in the village of Bunol near Valencia, Spain on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Thousands gather in this eastern Spanish town for the annual street tomato battle that leaves the streets and participants drenched in red pulp from over 120 tons of tomatoes. Associated Press

Alberto Saiz

Revelers throw tomatoes at each other during the annual “Tomatina,” a tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol near Valencia, Spain, on Aug. 30. The tomato fight took place once again following a two-year suspension owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Associated Press

Alberto Saiz