Homegrown Tomato Fest returns to the Kingsport Farmers Market
The Kingsport Farmers Market is celebrating National Farmers Market Week (August 4-10) by bringing back a popular event – the Homegrown Tomato Fest – now in its 20th year.
The event will take place at the farmers market (308 Clinchfield Street) on August 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 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.
- A children’s activity by the Kingsport Public Library.
- Peak Young Professionals will make 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 University of Tennessee Extension Agency of Sullivan County is hosting a salsa canning class from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The cost of the class is $10 per person and registration is required. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/3A8cGzO.
Finally, the Homegrown Tomato Fest will 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 limit 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.
