WASHINGTON  — It was every man, woman and child for him or herself at Dupont Circle as snowballs took flight. It’s a tradition that when Mother Nature delivers snow, the Washington DC Snowball Fight Association sets a time and place for an all-out snow war.

“You pick up some snow, put it in your hand, in a tiny ball and throw it!” said five-year-old Max Blazquez, of D.C.

Max’s father, Juan Blazquez, says that, to have a good time, you have to leave your worries at home.

Hundreds packed the park, forming two groups — one around the fountain, others gathered about 50 feet away. People put their winter frustration into a tightly packed snow ball,  picked an enemy and took their pitch.

Fighters near the fountain ran out of ammunition pretty soon after the fight began. “There’s no snow up here! We used it all; we’re sitting ducks,” said Jess Clarke, of D.C.

Liz Doyle, of D.C., said the right kind of snow is key. “This snow doesn’t make good snowballs,”

Snow composition aside, most seem to have a great time sending the snowballs into the air, and many times into the face of a complete stranger.