PITTSTON, Pa. — If you like tomatoes, Pittston is the place to be this weekend for the Pittston Tomato Festival. The four day event starts Thursday.
"We have a full schedule, Saturday being the busiest day with the parade, the race, spaghetti eating contest, tomato judging contest. Then we have some pageants on Sunday. But in addition to all the food over the four days we have tons of great music," Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo said.
Organizers say the Pittston Tomato Festival typically draws around 100,000 people. There is live entertainment, more than 60 food vendors and even a train ride. Saturday at 7pm is the Truly Tomato Contest.
"Our largest, smallest, ugliest and most perfect tomato will be judged by our committee. Everyone can bring them to the festival stand," Jessica Lane said.
"It's a well run festival. I can't say enough about the committee. This committee takes a break for about two weeks after the festival and then we start talking about next year," Lombardo said.
On Saturday, children 12 and under can get a free bicycle helmet. Hourigan Kluger and Quinn's charitable organization HKQ Kids will be giving away helmets from 10-6.
"We started in 2008. We took a few years off with covid but now we're back and we're so excited to be here with all these helmets to give away," Nicole Santo said.
The Pittston Tomato Festival kicks off Thursday at 5pm and runs through Sunday.