Festival will celebrate all things tomato

By Staff Reports

The eighth annual Homegrown Tomato Fest will take place Saturday, Aug. 11, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Kingsport Farmers’ Market, corner of Center Street and Clinchfield Street in Kingsport.

This celebration of the juicy red fruit features tomato contests, free tomato tastings (including many heirloom varieties), free tomato refreshments, culinary demonstrations by Food City and UT Extension, tomato-growing advice, tomato recipes, activities for kids and fun for the whole family.

Tomato lovers are invited to enter the Best Salsa Contest and to bring tomatoes to compete in the following categories: Best Tasting, Biggest, Prettiest, Ugliest, Most Bizarre and Best Dressed.

Admission is free and there are no entry fees. Entry forms may be downloaded from the SAPS website, www.saps.us, or picked up at Downtown Kingsport Association (DKA) or Ward’s Feed Store. Entries will be accepted from 8 to 9 a.m. for all contests, and winners will be announced after 10 a.m.

Homegrown Tomato Fest is sponsored by the Southern Appalachian Plant Society (SAPS) and Downtown Kingsport Association. For more information, call 288-3675 or e-mail dmarshall@chartertn.net

SAPS is a regional non-profit educational organization which promotes sound horticultural practices in our homes and communities. Its members are horticulturists, Master Gardeners, nursery professionals and gardening hobbyists. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in gardening.