Organizers with the 2010 Hanover Tomato Festival need your help. In an attempt to avoid the traffic jams that plagued last year’s event, a request is being sent out to those who use Pole Green Road as a shortcut to please consider another route on Saturday.

Lt. Kenny Epling of the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office came by the office last Tuesday to talk about what we can do to help those trying to get to the festival at Pole Green Park.
Last year saw a record attendance of 42,000 — and traffic tie-ups all around the area leading into Pole Green Road.

So, the plea is out this year for motorists who do not live in that immediate area or do not plan to come by the festival to travel in another direction. This is a reasonable request and one that will help others.

Deputies and volunteers did their best in 2009 to keep traffic moving, but the incredible turnout led to a bumper-to-bumper situation.

The Sheriff’s Office has been working with Hanover County Parks & Rec Department and the Tomato Festival Committee to ease traffic issues. Without question, all parties involved want a worry-free, welcoming environment. That’s why they start planning the next festival as soon as one ends.

And speaking of helping ease traffic, plans are in place to route exiting vehicles along a hedgerow within the festival area. That way, two lanes — rather than one lane — will be entering.

Now it’s up to us to make sure these plans work. So, please, if you don’t need to be on Pole Green Road on July 10, take another route.

Hopefully the weather won’t be so oppressive. But, be advised, make sure you have a bottle of water with you as you make your way about the festival grounds. Medical personnel will be available on-site and misting tents will be provided.

This is a “good time will be had by all” event and we hope to see you there.

Here’s to another successful — and prosperous — Tomato Festival!