Colorado-Texas Tomato War facts for kids
The Colorado-Texas Tomato War is a super fun yearly event in Twin Lakes, Lake County, Colorado. It's like a giant food fight where hundreds of people throw ripe tomatoes at each other! This exciting event brings together people from Colorado and Texas for a friendly, messy battle.
Contents
What is the Colorado-Texas Tomato War?
The Colorado-Texas Tomato War is an annual festival that celebrates a playful rivalry between people from Colorado and Texas. It's held every September and is known for its main event: a massive tomato-throwing battle!
How Did the Tomato War Begin?
The event was started in 1982 by a local hotel owner named Taylor Adams. It ran for about nine years, ending around 1991. But don't worry, the fun returned! The Tomato War was brought back to life in 2011, much to the delight of its fans.
What Happens During the Tomato Battle?
During the main event, hundreds of Coloradans and Texans face off. The Coloradans usually try to "overrun" a special fort. This fort is built out of straw bales and is called the "Alamo" (named after a famous historical fort). A smaller group of Texans defends this straw bale Alamo. Most of the time, the Coloradans succeed in taking over the fort!
How Do You Know Who's Who?
It's easy to tell who's on which side! Participants often wear special souvenir T-shirts sold by Ms. Adams. These shirts help everyone know if you're a Coloradan or a Texan in the big tomato fight.
Why Do They Have a Tomato War?
The event is based on a friendly rivalry that some Coloradans feel towards visitors from Texas. It's all in good fun and provides a unique way for people to enjoy the end of summer in Colorado. Besides the tomato fight, there's also a festival with other activities.
Did the War Happen During Tough Times?
Yes, it did! The Colorado-Texas Tomato War continued to be held in 2020 and 2021, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. This shows how much people love this unique and messy tradition!
