Midwest tomato fight moves to downtown Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Organizers of the Midwest Tomato Fest are promising a saucy time in downtown Minneapolis.

The second annual tomato-toss, food and music festival will be held July 14 in a one-square-block area of downtown Minneapolis, at Portland Avenue and Fourth Street.

More than 3,000 people attended last year when the tomato fest debuted at Afton Alps. Festival-goers hurled ripened tomatoes at each other in what’s billed as a stress-reducing battle.

Organizers say the fest was inspired by La Tomatina, an annual food fight in Spain.

Tickets are now on sale. The festival will feature music by local bands and food from local food trucks.

Gates open at noon. The official tomato toss starts at 6 p.m., and the festival ends at 7 p.m.