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By Lisa Puster
There’s nothing like a red, ripe, juicy tomato. It just
says summer. But nothing says summer in Richmond
more than a perfect, delicious Hanover tomato. And
there is no better place to enjoy tasty Hanover tomatoes
than at the annual Hanover Tomato Festival, sponsored by
Hanover Parks and Recreation, Black Creek Fire Department
and the Hanover Herald-Progress. This year’s event will be
held on July 11th, 2009 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Pole Green Park
in Mechanicsville.
At last year’s festival, 40,000 people were in attendance and
this year’s festival promises to be even bigger and better. The
event is free of charge and is held, rain or shine. The festival
offers food, fun, music, vendors, crafters, tomato growing and
recipe contests, the Little Miss/Tiny Miss Hanover Tomato
pageant, activities and contests for the kids, and of course,
tons of delectable Hanover tomatoes.
But you won’t find just plain tomatoes at the Hanover
Tomato Festival. Tomato recipes, in all forms, styles and flavors,
will be available for sample and/or purchase, including fried
green tomatoes, tomato sandwiches, tomato salsa, tomato
pie, tomato juice, and a variety of unique tomato dishes and
concoctions.
The Hanover Tomato Recipe Contest categories typically
include: Best Original Tomato Recipe, Best Green Tomato
Recipe, Best Homemade Tomato Juice, Best Homemade Mild
to Medium Salsa, Best Homemade Flaming Hot Salsa, Best
Tasting Hanover Tomato (both large and small varieties), and
Prettiest Tomato. If you are known for a great Hanover Tomato
recipe or for growing fabulous Hanover Tomatoes, you’ll want
to make sure to get your application in early!
There are also contests for kids 12 and under, including the
Best Dressed Tomato Contest, where prizes are awarded to
the best-dressed (decorated) tomato within each age group.
All tomatoes are judged on creativeness with all supplies
provided. Children may take home their tomato creation
following judging of the contest. There is also the Hanover
Tomato Coloring Contest where children can color “Mr.
Mator” and send in their artwork before the festival. Entries
will be judged prior to the Festival and will be displayed for
viewing the day of the event. Prizes will be awarded to 1st
and 2nd place winners.
If you have a daughter or granddaughter who is a Hanover
resident, between the ages of 3 and 7 years, show her off at
the Hanover Tomato Festival by entering her in the Tiny Miss
Hanover Tomato (ages 3-4) and Little Miss Hanover Tomato
Pageants (ages 5-7). Winners will be crowned during the
Festival.
If you’re looking for some homegrown fun this summer,
come out to the Hanover Tomato Festival and help celebrate
the renowned Hanover Tomato!
For more information on the Festival, applications or
directions, visit www.hanovertomatofestival.com.
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