Revelers paint city red during Spain's Tomato Throwing Festival

One reveler lies face down in red pulp. Photo: Zowy Voeten/Getty Images

About 15,000 people threw 120 tons of over-ripe tomatoes attack each other during Spain's annual La Tomatina festival on Wednesday.

Streets of the eastern town of Bunol, near Valencia has been covered in red pulp after a food fight that draws thousands of tourists from all over the world every year.

The event kicks off when trucks loaded with tomatoes roll into Plaza del Pueblo around 11am. After an hour of fighting for food, the tomatoes can no longer be thrown and harvesting begins.

Participants usually wear goggles to protect their eyes. Photo: JOSE MIGUEL FERNANDEZ/AFP/Getty Images Tomatoes are thrown only an hour before harvest. Photo: Eva Manez/Reuters

Locals and fire trucks then spray the buildings. , streets and participants to clean up the mess.

The festival, which is always held on the last Wednesday of August, was inspired by a food fight between local children in 1945. This year he celebrated his 76th birthday.

This year the festival celebrated its 76th anniversary. Photo: JOSE MIGUEL FERNANDES/AFP/Getty Images The festival attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. Photo: MIGUEL ANGEL POLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

It became international in the 1980s. an event that attracts participants from all over the world.

Participants regularly wear swimming goggles to protect their eyes and dress in T-shirts and shorts.