Region's second Tomato Festival coming up

Tomatoes are in season all across Upper East Tennessee, and three weeks after Grainger County honored the one of the area’s famous agricultural products, Sullivan County will do the same.

On Saturday, August 9, the final day of National Farmers Market Week, the Kingsport Farmers Market will hold its ever-popular Homegrown Tomato Fest for the 21st time.

The event will take place at the farmers market, 308 Clinchfield Street, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public.

Activities taking place during the event include:

• Kids’ decorating tables (decorate your own tomato or use our red plate replacement).
• Live music starting at 9 a.m.
• Peak Young Professionals will make free tomato sandwiches at 10 a.m. (while supplies last).
• Tomato contest for biggest, ugliest and best dressed (drop off tomatoes by 9 a.m.; winner will be announced at 11:30 a.m.
• The Homegrown Tomato Fest will also feature a Salsa Showdown, where the public will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite salsa. The winner will receive a blue ribbon, some Kingsport Farmers Market swag and plenty of bragging rights.

The Salsa Showdown is open to anyone, all salsa must be homemade, and tomatoes must be used. Contestants must supply a minimum of one quart of salsa, and there is a limit of three entries per household. Entries must be turned in by 9 a.m. and winners will be announced at 11:30 a.m.

National Farmers Market Week is an annual celebration of farmers markets coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition — a nonprofit organization that supports farmers markets nationwide through training, technical assistance, and network-building.

The Kingsport Farmers Market is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, please visit kingsportfarmersmarket.org.