Ken Odor
Regina Degrenier of Sandston (above right) helps her daughter Olivia (2), decorate her tomato in the Best Dressed Tomato Contest Saturday at the Hanover Tomato Festival, while Mechanicsville parents Jason and Kim Thies watch their daughters Katie (5) and Sadie (1) work on their creations.

Cool weather, tomatoes draw big crowd to festival
By Ken Odor

Jul 08, 2008

The 30th rendition of the annual Hanover Tomato Festival drew an estimated 34,000, according to Hanover officials.

Perhaps encouraged by the unusually cool weather and assurances that there was nothing to fear from county-grown tomatoes, despite a recent salmonella scare, cars clogged the entrance to Pole Green Park before the opening ceremonies began at 10 a.m.

Sales of the famous fruit went so well that there was a temporary slowdown around noon, when the initial 130 bushels gave out.

Tomato supplier, Dodd’s Acres Farm, had to make two more deliveries, said Parks and Recreation Director Greg Sager. By day’s end, 202 bushels had been sold.

“It’s an all time high, we believe,” said Sager, who added that his staff asked if he could arrange for cool weather next year too.

In addition to the usual entertainment, tomato festival visitors were the target of the attention of Virginia’s two U.S. Senate hopefuls, former governors Gilmore and Warner (see story on page 2).

Highlights of the festival included the naming of the winners of the Little Miss and Tiny Miss Tomato Festival crowns, the winners of the Best Dressed Tomato Contest and the seven category Hanover Tomato Recipe Contest.

(0) Comments • Email This Article