emirates7 - On Wednesday, the Spanish town of Buñol was awash in red as thousands came together to mark the 80th edition of La Tomatina, the world-famous tomato-throwing festival.

More than 120 tons of overripe tomatoes were unleashed into the streets for the one-hour food fight, with around 22,000 participants—locals and tourists alike—hurling the fruit at each other. Dressed in goggles and worn-out clothing, revellers laughed and shouted as the streets quickly transformed into rivers of tomato pulp.

The festival traces its roots back to 1945, when a group of local youngsters started tossing tomatoes at one another in fun. What began as a spontaneous scuffle has evolved into a global phenomenon. Today, non-residents buy tickets for €15 ($17.50), and buses bring visitors from nearby cities to join the frenzy.

Residents shield their homes with tarpaulins, while local authorities oversee rapid cleanup efforts once the battle ends. For participants, though, the chaos is the highlight.

“When you’re in the middle of it, it’s just a blur of tomatoes,” said Adrian Columb from Ireland, recalling his first experience in 1999. “It was amazing.”

This year’s landmark celebration cements La Tomatina as one of Spain’s most vibrant and iconic traditions.