The celebration began with a popular breakfast and the traditional greasy pole competition to retrieve the ham. Meanwhile, locals cooled the crowd with water hoses, creating the festive atmosphere before the main event.
At 12:00 PM, a firecracker shell signaled the start of the battle. This year, over 150,000 kilograms of tomatoes were used, 30,000 more than the previous year, sourced from San Benito (Badajoz). These tomatoes, grown exclusively for the occasion with soft skins, required participants to squash them before throwing.
Seven trucks slowly made their way down San Luis street, distributing tomatoes from above to a diverse audience of locals and international tourists. Many participants wore diving goggles, hats, and improvised costumes for protection and enjoyment.
“"We hope to resolve it soon."
The mayor, Virginia Sanz, noted that the festival experienced a brief interruption due to a pepper spray incident, with no serious injuries reported. One of the anecdotes included Esperanza, a 72-year-old resident, participating amidst the tomato juice.
At 1:00 PM, a second firecracker marked the end of the throwing. Afterwards, cleaning crews, assisted by attendees and locals from balconies, began the task of cleaning the streets and facades of Buñol.
