Great Colorado vs. Texas Tomato War returns to Buena Vista in August

BUENA VISTA, Colo. (KRDO) -- A ripe, growing tradition in Colorado is returning for the fifth year.

The Great Colorado vs. Texas Tomato War will take place Saturday, Aug. 29 in Buena Vista. The event, which is organized by the Buena Vista Optimist Club, brings individuals and teams representing Texas and Colorado together to throw tomatoes at each other.

Organizers say the events all benefit the Optimist Club, which then supports over 30 youth organizations and activities across Chaffee County. The event will be held at The Meadows on County Road 350 and features events like face painting, balloon animals, food trucks and a tomato tossing competition.

Organizers say the event started with a love-hate relationship between Texas and Coloradans as they traded money and property. The tomato war was brought back in 2020 and taken to Buena Vista in 2021.

A kid's tomato war kicks off the throwing before the main event where over 2,000 pounds of tomatoes are going to be tossed amongst the teams.

More information on the vent, including pre-registration, is available at the Tomato War's website. The events start at 2 p.m. and run until 6 p.m.

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