Tomato lovers and community connoisseurs gather round, as the Kingsport Farmers Market is about to spice things up with the return of its long-loved Homegrown Tomato Fest. Mark your calendars for August 9, because from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., this free public event will bring zest back to 308 Clinchfield Street, in celebration of National Farmers Market Week. The affair promises a delectable mix of activities, with a highlight being the chance for salsa aficionados to compete for the title of best homemade salsa in town.
The day is packed with family-friendly fun, including kids' decorating tables where the young ones can give tomatoes a creative twist, and live music to set the festive mood starting right at 9 a.m. If you fancy yourself a sandwich aficionado, the Peak Young Professionals have you covered with free tomato sandwiches at 10 a.m. – get them while you can, because they're only available "while supplies last." And for the cultivators of curiosities, a tomato contest inaugurates the biggest, ugliest, and best-dressed tomatoes, but be sure to drop off your entries by 9 a.m. Winners are getting their applause at 11:30 a.m., according to a post on the Kingsport Farmers Market website.
Let's not forget the Salsa Showdown, a fiery competition inviting entries that must be homemade, and obviously, feature tomatoes as a star ingredient. Those eager to flaunt their salsa-making skills must bring at least one quart of the stuff, and note, there's a limit of three entries per household. The salsa submissions need to be at the fest by 9 a.m., with the top salsa securing a blue ribbon and considerable bragging rights after the 11:30 a.m. announcement.
Spearheaded by the Farmers Market Coalition, National Farmers Market Week runs from August 3-9 and is a testament to the hardy spirit that fuels markets across the nation. The Kingsport Farmers Market itself is a weekly staple, open each Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and for more details on the event, or the market schedule, check out their official site.
