Santa Palma — A once-joyous event, the Santa Palma Tomato Festival took an unexpected turn this year as a massive sauce spill occurred in the town square, leading to confusion, panic, and one very angry pizza delivery driver.
The incident unfolded after the local food truck, “Salsa de la Vida,” accidentally tipped its entire vat of marinara sauce, creating a tomato tidal wave that engulfed several nearby festival-goers. “It was like a slow-motion disaster,” said festival-goer Susan Martinez. “I was walking toward the pie-eating contest when I was hit with the sauce. I was covered head to toe. My white dress was ruined!” she added, shaking her head.
While some festival-goers used the spill as an impromptu slip-and-slide, others were less enthusiastic. “I was just about to win the salsa dance competition when I was dragged down by the sauce tsunami,” complained local dancer Javi Rodriguez. “I’ve never felt more defeated.”
The incident was cleaned up in under two hours, but local pizzerias have yet to recover from the loss of business, claiming they had to compete with an unexpected “tomato tsunami.” A few brave vendors are planning to host a “sauce-saving” event next year.