Food fight! It's slime time at Spanish tomato festival
The annual 'tomatina' event draws tourists from across the globe to the village of Bunol
Revellers throw tomatoes during the annual "tomatina" tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.ALBERTO SAIZ/The Associated Press
Revellers kiss each other.ALBERTO SAIZ/The Associated Press
Bunol's town hall estimated more than 40,000 people took up arms Wednesday.ALBERTO SAIZ/The Associated Press
A reveller pours tomato pulp into the crowd.HEINO KALIS/Reuters
The origin of the tomato fight is disputed – everyone in Bunol seems to have a favourite story – but most agree it started around 1940, in the early years of General Francisco Franco's dictatorship.HEINO KALIS/Reuters
Revellers embrace each other after the annual tomato fight.HEINO KALIS/Reuters
People come from as far away as Japan and Australia to particpate.HEINO KALIS/Reuters
An estimated 100 tons of tomatoes was used in the yearly fight.HEINO KALIS/Reuters
A reveller battles in tomato pulp.HEINO KALIS/Reuters
A participant is pelted with tomatoes.HEINO KALIS/Reuters
Tomato wrestling, anyone?HEINO KALIS/Reuters
The festival is now in its 64th year.HEINO KALIS/Reuters
Yeah, he’s going to need a shower.HEINO KALIS/Reuters
A love offering?HEINO KALIS/Reuters
Now that’s a food fight.ALBERTO SAIZ/The Associated Press
Revellers play in tomato pulp.ALBERTO SAIZ/The Associated Press
The week-long festival also features music, parades, dancing and fireworks.ALBERTO SAIZ/The Associated Press
A reveller wipes tomato pulp from his face.ALBERTO SAIZ/The Associated Press
It’s enough to make a tomato-lover cry.ALBERTO SAIZ/The Associated Press