PITTSTON, Pa. — A busy weekend full of food, fun, and tomatoes in Luzerne County.
People lined the streets of downtown Pittston Saturday for the 41st annual Pittston Tomato Festival.
This year's festivities are extra special for Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin.
Gilmartin is recovering after he was shot in the line of duty back in January.
This year, festival organizers honored the detective by naming him the 2024 Tomato Festival Parade Grand Marshal.
"My husband is in law enforcement, so it really it really hits home. Especially to see the whole community come together for somebody that was put in a horrible situation, and he came out so strong," said Caitlin Ziobro, Pittston Township.
The Pittston City Fire Department is also rallying behind the detective and his family.
The department is donating all of Saturday's proceeds from its beer tent at the festival to Detective Gilmartin.
"Yeah, it's a valley with a big heart, and everybody comes together in one no matter what time or what. This is a great, great event, and everybody is so supportive, and we thank everybody that comes down and help out a local hero," said Frank Cawley, Pittston Fire Department.
A valley with a big heart on full display.
"It's honestly really heartwarming to be able to see all of these people coming together, and I think it just shows how tight-knit Central/Northeastern PA is," said Becca Sauers, Lycoming County.
"I take care of this lady, and she likes the parades, so we decided this year to come here. And we appreciate the fact that the fire department is raising money for a great cause, and so we want to support that any way we can," said Jim Mcclure, Luzerne County.