Spain was once the dominant power in Europe, but that was a long time ago now. Spain these days has problems. They’ve had blackouts from their ill-advised “green energy” policies, and there is a separatist movement simmering in Catalonia. The streets of neighborhoods in Madrid and other cities belong to the hordes of “asylum seekers,” who happen to be overwhelmingly young, unattached men.
But at least the Spaniards still know how to throw a food fight. The traditional Tomatina festival happened this week, and as usual, it was a tomatoey mess.
Thousands of people from around the world seeking a uniquely messy thrill spent one wild hour flinging bushels of overripe tomatoes at each other during Spain’s “Tomatina” celebration Wednesday.
The mother of all food fights painted a packed central street in the eastern town of Buñol deep red as revelers squished, smashed, and hurled 120 tons of the overripe fruit. Tarps covered building fronts as an estimated 20,000 people let loose amid screams and laughter.
Every article of clothing and pretty much every inch of bare skin and hair ended up covered in a pulpy mush, with many wearing white shirts that quickly were stained pink. Thumping music gave the event the vibe of a rave. Organizers wearing green shirts slowly opened a path for trucks loaded with the tomatoes to bring in the ammunition.
I don’t know if this is the mother of all food fights, but it’s certainly the sister or older cousin. And overripe tomatoes? To prospective attendees, I can only offer this caution: Wear your old clothes, because that ain’t coming out. And participants certainly get covered, although they seem to come out of it just vine.
This isn’t something for everyone. I certainly wouldn’t want to get pelted from my head tomatoes. Still, traditions are important.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the tomato tossing that party lore says began in 1945 for local children. Since then “Tomatina” has grown to an eye-catching event that now draws a significant international crowd and only has been skipped twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two years skipped for COVID? It seems so, but they are sure to ketchup now.
Of course, it seems this year some left-wing protestors showed up trying to dampen the fun, but they just got pelted, and eventually left; it was a case of “here today, gone tomato.” They were waving Palestinian flags and shouting something about Israel, but the locals and the visitors didn’t allow them to spoil the fun. The protestors did accomplish one thing: Proving once more the old saying that the worst fear a leftist has is the possibility that somebody, somewhere, some people might be enjoying themselves.
Yes, Spain has some problems. Like much of Europe, they are slowly fading away from the world stage. Like so much of Europe, the Spanish people are poised on a demographic cliff. But, at least in Buñol, they still know how to have some fun, even if they do turn their town temporarily tomatoey.
Read More: Lessons From Spain and Portugal About Solar Power
Spain, Portugal Plunged Into Darkness Amid Widespread Blackouts—What’s the Cause?
After some research, I was able to find a short video clip of an American version of this messy festival.
Editor’s Note: The Democrat Party has never been less popular as voters reject its globalist agenda.
Help us continue exposing Democrats’ plans to lead America down a dangerous path. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.
