Valencia is the third largest city in Spain. Until the beginning of the 1990′s it had been an industrial city, but with the growing tourism industry restoring many buildings and luxury hotels, Valencia has become quite a hot-spot. Throughout the year, various festival serve to bring people into the city and serve, well food and fun and celebration. The climate may become relatively hot during the summer months, so most of the festivals occur on either end of the season. In the month of October many travel to this region in Europe to celebrate and enjoy the ‘frutti de mar’, the delicious seafood–the fruit of the sea, that has become so famous from this region.
One of the funniest festivals in the country, perhaps around the world, is a food fight. Story is, that it began as just that, a simple food fight in local restaurant in 1945. This is now the high-light of many living in Valencia and has drawn international travelers to the city to participate. Any one attending the festival should be prepared to get a bit messy, as the focus is to have some wine, eat some food, and then throw ripe tomatoes at friends and strangers passing by on the street. This festival draws more than 10,000 participates every year. Pounds and pounds of tomatoes are transported for the event.
The spring festival in Valencia, is a bit less saucy…in a way. The streets are decorated with hundreds of wooden and paper mache sculptures. Events take place for many days including movie openings to concerts, to fireworks, bull fights, and flower exhibits. There is a tremendous amount of celebrating in the streets at the onset and throughout. The music festivals begin at this time as well. One of the most anticipated musical events of the year is Festimad. Local and famous rock bands come together for two days, bringing thousands from the country, and thousands from across Europe. Many restaurants and bars set up tents on the street to accommodate those attending the shows. There is also a Glastonbury inspired event, the alternative music festival. Three days of music, visual artists, and performance artists showing their works on the street. As well, there are world known graffiti artists, extreme sports, and trapeze circus performers. This event is 24 hours a day, with non-stop fun, dancing and music.
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