“It was a very successful event” is how Greg Sager, director of the Hanover Parks and Recreation Department, described the 2010 Hanover Tomato Festival.

“Given the weather, and the uncertainty of the weather, we were really pleased with the attendance,” he said Monday morning. Rain fell on Pole Green Park around 10:30 a.m. and clouds filled the skies most of the afternoon.

After a record-breaking attendance of 42,000 in 2009, Saturday’s festival welcomed “just under 25,000.” That figure, Sager said, is the unofficial estimate.

Situated in the center of the park is a large tent with the item of the day: Hanover Tomatoes. Due to the drop in attendance, sales also suffered. “Tomato sales are down from last year,” Sager said, “which is directly related to fewer folks being there.”

A new traffic pattern devised by organizers and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office proved successful. According to Sager, “We had next to no backups on Pole Green Road.”

“Even with the reduced attendance, folks still came in steadily and we kept traffic moving,” he said. “We had next to no complaints from the general public.”

Marcy Durrer, recreation program director for Parks and Rec, extended a special thanks “to all of our volunteers and our new sponsors this year,” including those who provided arts and crafts in the children’s area.

Just after 10 a.m., Lily Sanderford and McKinley Duke were crowned Little Miss and Tiny Miss Hanover Tomato Festival.

During the pageant, held on June 27, Sanderford, 7 years old, told director Lynn Watson said Barbie is one of her favorite toys. She likes to go to the beach.

Duke, 4, said she is a fan of singer Taylor Swift and enjoys playing baseball with her family.

Results of the Tomato Contest are:
- Best Tasting Hanover Tomato (large greater than two inches in diameter) — first place, Reber Dunkel, score 36 out of 40; second place, McKenzie York, score 35; and third place, Joey Burke, score 32.
- Best Tasting Hanover Tomato (small less than two inches in diameter) — first place, Jane Gintout, score 31 out of 40; second place, Reber Dunkel, score 29; and third place, Ralph Bosher Sr., score 28.
- Prettiest Tomato — first place, Ralph Bosher Sr. ,score 34 out of 40; second place, Jane Gintout, score 33; and third place, McKenzie York, score 32.
- Mild to Medium Salsa Contest — first place, Judith Hayes, score 38 out of 40; second place, Let Jackson, score 32; and third place, Raymond Hayes, score 24.
- Hot to Flaming Salsa Contest — first place, Judith Hayes, 30 score; second place, Let Jackson, score 29; and third place, Raymond Hayes, score 25.

The Tomato Festival was started in 1978 as a fundraiser for the Black Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

Joining with the VFD and Parks and Rec in sponsoring the event are The Herald-Progress and The Mechanicsville Local.

Patrick Dobbs for The Local
Jonathan Dzielak agreed with the majority when it comes to the Hanover Tomato Festival — it’s all about the tomato. Overcast skies and some rain didn’t diminish the excitement of the event.