La Tomatina 2012

La Tomatina is a festival that is held in the Valencian town of Bunol, located inland from the Mediterranean Sea, that brings together thousands of people for one big tomato fight – purely for fun! It is held on the last Wednesday of August, during the week of festivities of Bunol. One theory – the most popular of many theories - about the origins of the “fight” dates back to 1945, when (during a parade) young men staged a brawl in the town’s main square, the Plaza del Pueblo. There was a vegetable stand nearby, so they picked up tomatoes and used them as weapons. The police had to intervene to break up the fight and forced those responsible to pay the damages incurred. -- Paula Nelson (26 photos total)

A reveler wipes tomato pulp from his face during the annual "Tomatina" (tomato fight) in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, Aug. 29, 2012. Bunol's town hall estimated more than 40,000 people, some from as far away as Japan and Australia, took up arms with 100 tons of tomatoes in the yearly food fight known as the 'Tomatina,' now in its 64th year. (Alberto Saiz/Associated Press)

Revelers throw tomatoes at each other during the annual Tomatina August 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. More than 40,000 people throw 120 tons of ripe tomatoes in the world's biggest tomato fight held annually in this Spanish Mediterranean town. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

Revelers throw tomatoes at each other during the annual Tomatina, Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

A reveler slides on tomato pulp while participating the annual Tomatina festival, Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

A reveler takes photos during the annual Tomatina Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

Revelers are covered in tomato pulp while participating the annual Tomatina, Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

Revelers play in tomato pulp during the annual "Tomatina" in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, Aug. 29, 2012. One hundred tons of tomatoes are used in the yearly food fight known as the 'Tomatina' now in its 64th year. (Alberto Saiz/Associated Press) #

A reveler pours tomato pulp into the crowd during the annual "Tomatina" (tomato fight) in the Mediterranean village of Bunol, Aug. 29, 2012. The origin of the tomato fight is disputed - everyone in Bunol seems to have a favorite story - but most agree it started around 1940, in the early years of General Francisco Franco's dictatorship. (Heino Kalis/Reuters) #

Revelers play with tomato pulp during the annual "Tomatina" Aug. 29, 2012. (Alberto Saiz/Associated Press) #

Revelers kiss during the annual "Tomatina." (Alberto Saiz/Associated Press) #

Revelers take part in the annual "Tomatina" in the village of Bunol, Aug. 29, 2012. Tens of thousands of revelers hurled 120 tons of squashed tomatoes at each other, drenching the streets in red in a gigantic Spanish food fight known as the Tomatina. (Biel Alino/AFP/GettyImages) #

A reveler celebrates being covered in tomato pulp while participating the annual Tomatina, Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

Revelers are covered in tomato pulp while participating the annual Tomatina, Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

A Japanese girl sits in tomato pulp, Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

Revelers throw tomato pulp at each other during the annual Tomatina, Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

Revelers throw tomato pulp on one another, Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

Revelers take part in the annual "Tomatina" (tomato fight) in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Aug. 29, 2012. (Biel Alino/AFP/GettyImages) #

Revelers take part in the annual "tomatina" tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, on Aug. 29, 2012. (Biel Alino/AFP/GettyImages) #

Revelers take part in the annual "Tomatina" (tomato fight) in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Aug. 29, 2012. (Biel Alino/AFP/GettyImages) #

Revelers are covered in tomato pulp while participating the annual Tomatina festival, Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #

Revelers throw tomatoes, Aug. 29, 2012. Bunol's town hall estimated more than 40,000 people, some from as far away as Japan and Australia, took up arms with 100 tons of tomatoes in the yearly food fight known as the 'Tomatina' now in its 64th year. (Alberto Saiz/Associated Press) #

A reveler pours tomato pulp over another after the annual "Tomatina" (tomato fight) in the Mediterranean village of Bunol, near Valencia Aug. 29, 2012. The origin of the tomato fight is disputed - everyone in Bunol seems to have a favorite story - but most agree it started around 1940, in the early years of General Francisco Franco's dictatorship. (Heino Kalis/Reuters) #

A reveler lies in tomato pulp after the annual "Tomatina" (tomato fight) in the Mediterranean village of Bunol, near Valencia Aug. 29, 2012. (Heino Kalis/Reuters) #

Revelers take part in the annual "Tomatina" Aug. 29, 2012. Tens of thousands of revelers hurled 120 tons of squashed tomatoes at each other, drenching the streets in red. (Biel Alino/AFP/GettyImages) #

A girl stands under water during the annual Tomatina festival, Aug. 29, 2012 in Bunol, Spain. An estimated 35,000 people throw 120 tons of ripe tomatoes in the world's biggest tomato fight held annually in this Spanish Mediterranean town. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) #