PITTSTON, Pa. — The 41st annual Pittston Tomato Festival draws crowds and vendors from all over Pennsylvania and is expected to attract close to 100,000 people to the city.
"People genuinely come out and have a good time and experience community, and that's the answer to why we do it every year," said Michael Lombardo, Pittston Mayor.
"This is the best place to be; there's a lot to choose from; fill my stomach up nice and full, and enjoy myself," said Sandy Marchietti.
The opening day of the festival included honoring Scranton Det. Kyle Gilmartin, an officer who was shot in the line of duty in January, by naming him the grand marshal for the tomato parade on Saturday.
The festival itself helps not only the vendors who've set up stalls at the venue but also impacts surrounding Pittston businesses.
"When you have a 100,000 people coming through downtown in 4 days, they're going to see all of our small businesses. Hopefully, they'll shop there; they'll visit some of the restaurants after they full fill some of their bellies here," said Mary Kroptavich, Tomato Festival Organizer.
People do see Pittston's small businesses. Some business owners say the Tomato Festival weekend is their busiest weekend of the year.
"The whole weekend, it could make your whole business by being down here. With 100,000 people coming down to downtown Pittston, it really does a lot for your business," said Sandy Eramo, Co-owner of Grace and Park.
"Major difference. Everybody is really slow right now because of the economy, so this will help us out a lot," added Noreen Cellerari, co-owner of City Boutique.
Restaurants also see an uptick in customers during the weekend.
"It actually brings a lot of people to Pittston, we see our numbers increasing, a lot of people coming to check out Pittston, we do actually pretty well," said Stephanie Kashula, Rikasa General Manager.
The Tomato Festival will continue until Sunday.