Every year in August, the town of Pittston turns red--tomato red. Back street parking areas and small streets are closed off to give way for food vendors galore, kid rides and attractions, and farm market sellers.
Many years ago, before the tomato sculpture showed up where the pharmacy used to be, I went to school in Pittston. St. John the Evangelist High School no longer exists (you really date yourself when your school is no longer alive), and the town of Pittston has undergone a renaissance of sorts.
Many years ago, before the tomato sculpture showed up where the pharmacy used to be, I went to school in Pittston. St. John the Evangelist High School no longer exists (you really date yourself when your school is no longer alive), and the town of Pittston has undergone a renaissance of sorts.
Buildings have been refurbished, murals are painted on open walls, street lighting has been updated--Pittston is doing everything right. Since the days of my standing near Kresge's waiting for the bus, Pittston has gone through many stages of life. One stage even involved many buildings burning to the ground during the "less-than-stellar" period. But look what has risen from the ashes!
I have a fondness for Pittston, and I need to go back to shoot some street photography. It's the ideal location to pick up small town life on camera.
I have a fondness for Pittston, and I need to go back to shoot some street photography. It's the ideal location to pick up small town life on camera.
But, I digress. Back to the Tomato Festival. It's all about tomatoes in Pittston, judging by the wall mural above the Irish Pub.
The festival started with an idea to celebrate local tomato producers. In the beginning a downtown parking lot was all it took to showcase the event. Now expanded to multiple lots and back streets, the festival includes a parade with marching bands from local schools, a 5K run for a local charity, kid-oriented competitions for the titles of Little Mr. and Miss Tomato, and a scholarship pageant for a Miss Tomato Festival Queen.
Local restaurants get involved in the Sauce Wars, judged by festival goers, who cast their votes for the Best Marinara Sauce. There is, without a doubt, a Tomato Contest, with award ribbons going to largest, smallest, most perfect, and, yes, ugliest tomato.
One of the more popular events is the big tomato fight, held in the parking lot of Cooper's on the Waterfront. Only rotten tomatoes, which cannot be used for any other cause or for eating, are used, thereby silencing nay-sayers who might complain about food waste.
The food vendors are myriad. From New York pastries to homemade ravioli, you can't go wrong.
The festival started with an idea to celebrate local tomato producers. In the beginning a downtown parking lot was all it took to showcase the event. Now expanded to multiple lots and back streets, the festival includes a parade with marching bands from local schools, a 5K run for a local charity, kid-oriented competitions for the titles of Little Mr. and Miss Tomato, and a scholarship pageant for a Miss Tomato Festival Queen.
Local restaurants get involved in the Sauce Wars, judged by festival goers, who cast their votes for the Best Marinara Sauce. There is, without a doubt, a Tomato Contest, with award ribbons going to largest, smallest, most perfect, and, yes, ugliest tomato.
One of the more popular events is the big tomato fight, held in the parking lot of Cooper's on the Waterfront. Only rotten tomatoes, which cannot be used for any other cause or for eating, are used, thereby silencing nay-sayers who might complain about food waste.
The food vendors are myriad. From New York pastries to homemade ravioli, you can't go wrong.
The festival stays true to its roots with local produce and baked goods featured at The Pittston Farmers’ Market. The festival that began with the celebration of quality local tomatoes continues to highlight the local community even as the event rises to national recognition.
We spent an early evening at the festival sampling the wares. Below are some photos from our visit.
We spent an early evening at the festival sampling the wares. Below are some photos from our visit.
Tomatoes stacked high at the Farmer's Market.
Part 1 of the BRILLIANT sculpture designed by Ray Preby, 55, owner of Apple Street Welding in Larksville, Unveiled at the grand opening, the sculpture, called "Bad Idea" is a 20-foot-tall tower on Main Street in Pittston next to the Tomato Festival lot. It is a stack of six welded cubes designed to look like weathered tomato crates and boxes, with wire men hanging off it. Their hands hold the Tomato Festival sign which then stretches across the street to these guys, who are hanging off the side of a building. It is probably one of the best and most clever sculptures I have seen.
At some point I'm going to piece together all of the sculpture shots into one big frame.
Some friends find a great vantage point overlooking the Tomato Festival grounds.
One of my all-time favorites...Country Girl Kettle Corn!
A vendor at the Farmer's Market.
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