Tomato Fest to feature new contests
BY LELAND ACKER

Every year, thousands of people flock to Jacksonville for the annual Jacksonville Tomato Festival. Tourists who visit this year's festival, to be held June 8-9, will notice a new event.

"The newest thing to the Tomato Fest is the Tomato Peeling Contest, where contestants actually peel tomatoes with their teeth," said Peggy Renfro of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

While normally confined to downtown, this year's Tomato Fest will branch out into other parts of Jacksonville.

"The Best Home-Grown Tomato Contest, which is sponsored by Capital One, will be held at the bank on Friday, June 8," Ms. Renfro said. "It's open to Cherokee County residents and there will be $600 worth of cash prizes."

Ms. Renfro said the Tomato Eating Contest will be held at 6 p.m. at Chubby's/El Dorado Jack's on South Jackson St.

Ms. Renfro said activities will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 9 on Commerce St. in downtown Jacksonville.

A Gospel concert will take place at the Norman Activity Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, while a street dance will be held at 6 p.m. at Chili's on South Jackson St. in Jacksonville.

"Brochures and applications (for booths) are available on our Web site, www.JacksonvilleTexas. com," Ms. Renfro said.