The 4 Craziest Food Fight Festivals Ever
The Spanish have a long and proud history of using any half-baked excuse to invent great festivals and celebrations.
Food, beer, dancing, fireworks and danger are typical ingredients for a Spanish fiesta. If you’ve ever thought about heading to Spain to enjoy one of their festivals, these legendary food fights will whet your appetite…
1. Tomato Festival, La Tomatina
Food-Fight Location
Bunol, an hour north of Valencia in the east of Spain.
Conflict Overview
Officially the worlds biggest food fight. In 1945 an argument between a carnival mannequin and some merry makers resulted in the tomatoes from a fruit and veg stall being used as ammunition for a thorough pelting. The next year the youths of the town met again, this time with their own tomatoes. It snowballed from there and after several bans and jail-time it was adopted by the townsfolk as an annual event!
Rules of Engagement
After a week of celebrations 200 trucks dump tomatoes in the square, cue the worlds biggest food fight and much merriment. This lasts for 1 hour at which point the great tomato gods are satisfied with the sacrifices and the tomato lobbing subsides.
Spoils of war
Treat yourself to a nice chunky salsa with any unused ammo.
2. Rioja Wine Fight, Batalla del Vino
Food-Fight Location
Haro, in the Rioja district of Spain.
Conflict Overview
This epic annual battle involves 10000 gallons of wine and red wine stains that even “Vanish” wont get out!
The festival began as a dispute over the local Bilibios Mount between two neighbouring villages and presumably the local vineyard.
Rules of engagement
Warriors can be identified by their crisp white clothes, not to be mistaken with cricketers on tour. Everyone ascends the local hill with an array of weaponry ranging from water pistols and wine-skins to plastic bottles and jugs. These are filled with Rioja and battle commences.
Spoils of War
Rivers of Rioja trickle down the hill so take advantage and enjoy a good earthy sangria.
3. Grape Throwing Fiesta, La Gran Batalla de Raim
Food-Fight Location
Binissalem, on the balearic island of Mallorca
Conflict Overview
Attended by local Mallorcans the origins are shrouded in mystery. That makes one more great Mallorcan mystery along with why the water don’t taste like what it oughta…
Rules of Engagement
High velocity grapes are underrated in the world of warfare. Utter the cry “Ooh I could crush a grape” and let battle commence. After the battle follow protocol and don your whites and purple neckerchief to join the feast in the main square.
Spoils of war
A grape smoothie hits the spot everytime.
4. Running of the Bulls, San Fermin
Food-Fight Location
Pamplona, northern Spain
Conflict Overview
Back in the 14th century people transporting their bulls to market tried to speed things up by running alongside their bulls… This evolved into a competition to run ahead of the bulls, the event became more and more popular and is now famous around the world.
Rules of Engagement
Get six bulls with nice pointy horns and a 825 metre route wending through cobbled streets. Release the angry bulls and watch as they do their darndest to make human kebabs using their conveniently pointy horns.
I’m not sure this is officially considered a food fight, but it meets our strict criteria and so warrants inclusion.
Spoils of War
Any stray revellers are marinaded in the local beer. Depending on nationality they will then voluntarily bake themselves in the searing Spanish sun to give a crispy red finish.
Have you been in one of these foodfights? Share your thoughts in the comments below.