Food fight, anyone? On Aug. 28, the town of Buñol in València, Spain, will be the location of the 76^th La Tomatina Festival, where an estimated 330,000 pounds of overripe tomatoes will be fuel for an event meant to embody fun and community unity.

© Visit Valencia

This unusual festival dates to 1945, and the original neighborhood food fight has blossomed into a global event. Today, the fun begins at noon, heralded by the arrival of trucks delivering rosy-hued tomatoes from Extremadura to Plaza del Pueblo in central Buñol. The official tomato battle doesn’t commence until someone (yes, that could be you) makes it to the top of a greased wooden pole to retrieve a ham that’s been deposited there. Next, water cannons are fired, signaling the beginning of combat. For an hour, participants are free to lob, smash and squish their way to victory.

It’s all in fun and, once it’s over, tomato-covered revelers can wade into Buñol River to wash off or be hosed off by locals. Fire trucks are engaged to cleanse the streets, and it’s back to normal until next August. Tickets are limited, and if you long to be one of the lucky 20,000 visitors to snag one, be sure to visit the festival website early.

© Visit Valencia

“Each year, we eagerly anticipate La Tomatina, as it brings together people from diverse backgrounds ready to celebrate a festival that is very dear to València’s culture and is sure to create some of the best memories for its participants,” said Maximo Caletrío, promotions manager for Canada and the United States, Visit València Foundation.