The thought of throwing food at one another may seem rather disgusting to you. For others, it’s part of a festival or celebration that has a deep heritage. Ready to get messy? Check out the world’s biggest food fights.
La Raima Grape Throwing Festival in Pobla del Dub, Spain
Up to 90 tons of grapes are used in this food fight. Trucks haul them into the town square so participants can fling them at each other. This tradition started back in the 1930s when farmers ended the grape harvest. They decided to have a little bit of fun and threw extra grapes at one another and this food fight was born.
La Tomatina-Reno in Nevada & Bunol, Spain
This food fight takes place in both the United States and Spain. Each year around 5,000 flock to Reno and pay the $10 participant fee to chuck tomatoes at each other. Around 100,000 pounds of tomatoes are used! By the time everyone is done it looks like a tomato massacre has occurred. The event is very similar in Spain. It is well-known and highly publicized and always makes the news for its messiness
La Merengada in Catalonia
La Merengada doesn’t start out messy. Participants first eat a traditional meal of cod fish with red pepper sauce and a salad. After dinner they go outside and throw a meringue dessert and candy at anyone that’s nearby. This tradition is part of Carnival at Vilanova i La Geltrú and it takes place on the Saturday before Shrove Tuesday. If you don’t want to get all sticky, it’s best to stay indoors.
Flour Fight in Galaxidi, Greece
With all the flour that’s used in this event, you could make one massive cake! Why would you want to though when you can throw it at one another? The flour fight marks the beginning of Lent and the end of carnival season. It’s known as “Pure Monday” and the flour represents renouncing bad behavior and a sinful nature. The flour fight has taken place since the 19th century.
World Custard Pie Throwing in Coxheath, UK
Since 1967, people have come to Coxheath to throw pies at one another. A city councilor named Mike Fitzgerald, wanted an event that was inspired by a few Charlie Chaplin films. Today, it has grown to one of the most anticipated events in the UK. So why custard? The filling seems to hold together well which makes it easy to fling and not break apart in mid-air. Many participants do end up with bruises on them from getting hit with a pie.
Battle of the Oranges in Ivrea, Italy
This annual event is the largest one of it’s kind that takes place in Italy. It started back in the 12th century as a celebration of the residents of Ivrea overthrowing a tyrant. However, oranges only started to be thrown in the 19th century. Before that it was beans and apples. Close to 600,000 oranges are thrown during the Battle of the Oranges. All of these oranges would be destroyed anyways so this event allows them to be enjoyed (and used as weapons), before they are discarded.
