Post a reply

Image
May 29, 2015 4:14 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
We don't usually go to fairs or festivals because it's mostly venders. But, we went to this about 5 years ago because we WANTED to buy tomatoes. We found not one tomato for sell. And in spite of the list of things to do like this years:

Thumb of 2015-05-29/texaskitty111/3c72f3

We only found one contest, and that was music. So, my question is......do you have to go day one, hour one to buy them? Where are these events being held? It may be easy to find if, for instance, you are aware that the eating contest is at the school on main st. (example) but those of us that are new need addresses, days, and times. Anyone have this info?
Image
May 29, 2015 6:30 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Maybe contact the Chamber of Commerce?
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
Image
May 30, 2015 4:00 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
There's a contact person on their C of C page:
Kim Smith [email protected]

It is really odd that they don't have a full list of events, times and locations for this.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
Image
May 30, 2015 4:11 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I've already contacted her. Hoping she'll answer Monday. Sometimes (most times) no one will answer. The weird thing I remember when we went 5 years ago is when we asked someone "where's the ........." And he said "oh that was at the school, this morning". How is anyone supposed to know THAT?
Image
Jun 1, 2015 9:03 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
Nope, no answer
Sighing!
Image
Jun 1, 2015 9:45 PM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
Avid Green Pages Reviewer Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Rabbit Keeper Frugal Gardener Garden Ideas: Master Level
Plant Identifier Region: Georgia Native Plants and Wildflowers Composter Garden Sages Bookworm
I found information here:
http://www.myeasttex.com/enter...

Lots of community activities going on. There is a farm down the road (mentioned in the news interview) that sells tomatoes but the festival is to celebrate the tomato. Tomato eating contest, shoot the tomato with a BB gun contest, gospel sing, and much more. Sounds like a lot of fun and considering that folks in the area suffered storm damage it should be a celebration of life. Thumbs up

Found a link you can see the brochure: http://www.jacksonvilletexas.c...

This link gives some times and locations. A 'farmers' market' is listed so that might be a place that they might have some tomatoes for sale.
http://www.youreasttexas.com/n...

Gosh, I wish I lived close enough to join in the fun.
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
Last edited by greene Jun 1, 2015 9:53 PM Icon for preview
Image
Jun 3, 2015 1:12 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
Thanks @greene. I have called the chamber of commerce and they are mailing me a brochure.
Image
Jun 3, 2015 1:21 PM CST
Garden.org Admin
Name: Dave Whitinger
Southlake, Texas (Zone 8a)
Region: Texas Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Tomato Heads Vermiculture Garden Research Contributor
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Region: Ukraine Garden Sages
I can answer this question.

There will be tomatoes for sale all day long at the event. The tomatoes are sold by local vendors but often the product was brought in from "the valley" which is way down to the south. I don't know if that applies this year but in years past it sure did. So if you want "Jacksonville tomatoes" you are better off going to the weekly farmers market at Sadlers where the actual local produce is being sold.

I wouldn't buy tomatoes at the actual tomato fest. It's a fine festival to attend, though.
Image
Jun 3, 2015 1:47 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
Well. attending the events is what I was iinterested in. Do you have some nice ripe tomatoes, @dave? If the tomato judging was open to outsiders, I wouldn't have a ripe one to take. Certainly, none perfect.No wonder they bring up southern tomatoes, its too early
Image
Jun 3, 2015 1:48 PM CST
Garden.org Admin
Name: Dave Whitinger
Southlake, Texas (Zone 8a)
Region: Texas Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Tomato Heads Vermiculture Garden Research Contributor
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Region: Ukraine Garden Sages
Our tomatoes are still mostly green. We're harvesting one early every now and then but the main harvest is a couple weeks away.

I'm hoping to have enough to enter in the homegrown tomato contest. We win every year and I don't want this year to be the exception. Smiling
Image
Jun 3, 2015 1:56 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
You need one of these to turn on at night:

Thumb of 2015-06-03/texaskitty111/5796f5
Image
Jun 12, 2015 6:03 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
Well, I finally got a brochure listing the tomato events, and where they are being held. Most are on the entertainment stage. No clue where the entertainment stage is.
Image
Jun 15, 2015 11:05 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
So, who won what?
Image
Jun 15, 2015 11:20 AM CST
Garden.org Admin
Name: Dave Whitinger
Southlake, Texas (Zone 8a)
Region: Texas Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Tomato Heads Vermiculture Garden Research Contributor
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Region: Ukraine Garden Sages
Out of the 6 categories, we took 4 first place ribbons and 4 second place ribbons.

First place wins:

Best Plate of 3 heirlooms
Best Plate of 3 Youth Category (Abigail won)
Largest tomato
Most unusual tomato

Thumb of 2015-06-15/dave/38523e

Did you attend?
Last edited by dave Jun 15, 2015 11:21 AM Icon for preview
Image
Jun 15, 2015 11:30 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
Do you have a pic of the unusual tomato? Who won that? I did not attend because they didn't answer me about the entertainment stage address. It might be clear to those familiar with Jacksonville , but not to us. So, instead we met SIL in Fairfield and did geocaching. Congrats!
Hurray!
Image
Jun 15, 2015 3:22 PM CST
Garden.org Admin
Name: Dave Whitinger
Southlake, Texas (Zone 8a)
Region: Texas Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Tomato Heads Vermiculture Garden Research Contributor
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Region: Ukraine Garden Sages
Yep, here's the strangest tomato. It was pretty misshapen.

Thumb of 2015-06-15/dave/b0c244

(Sorry for the photo being sideways. It's a cellphone picture of something.)
Image
Jun 15, 2015 3:46 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
Siamese quadruplet?
Image
Jun 15, 2015 4:05 PM CST
Name: Rita
North Shore, Long Island, NY
Zone 6B
Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Tomato Heads I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Roses Photo Contest Winner: 2016
dave said:Yep, here's the strangest tomato. It was pretty misshapen.

Thumb of 2015-06-15/dave/b0c244

(Sorry for the photo being sideways. It's a cellphone picture of something.)


That is a strange looking tomato for sure. But a lovely your lady holding the prize.
Image
Jun 15, 2015 6:55 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Woo hoo -- it sounds like the Whitinger family pretty much cleaned up at that tomato festival! Thumbs up

Dave, how large was the largest tomato, and what variety was it??
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
Image
Jun 15, 2015 7:08 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: tk
97478 (Zone 8b)

Tomato Heads Avid Green Pages Reviewer
And, what kind of tomato was the unusual tomato?. Are you going to keep and plant seeds? You could call it mutant tomato or..........what?

Only the members of the Members group may reply to this thread.
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )