Tomato Fest opens this weekend
BY LELAND ACKER

The Jacksonville Tomato Festival on Friday and Saturday in Jacksonville will feature new games and a gospel concert.

"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.

The gospel concert, featuring the Humble Hands Quartet from Longview and Amy "Amy Jo" Blanton from Henderson, will be held from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the Norman Activity Center, 526 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville.

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

"The Best Home-Grown Tomato Contest, sponsored by Capital One, will be held at the bank Friday," 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 at 6 p.m. Friday at Chubby's/El Dorado Jack's on South Jackson St.

Commerce Street in downtown Jacksonville will be the site of several Tomato Fest activities Saturday.

Information, food and arts and crafts booths will be set up from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There will also be a farmer's market and health screenings during that time.

Downtown activities will also include a Kiwanis Club auction from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., a hayride, tomato history display, tomato poster contest, tomato shed tours, a tomato shoot, tomato town and an antique car show.

Other attractions will include the famous Couch Tomato "No Sweat" Olympics, an entertainment stage, a salsa contest and the tomato peeling contest.

The Colgate Country Showdown will be at 2 p.m. at the Norman Activity Center.

Those interested in competing may contact Dudley Waller at (903) 586-2527.

The Tomato Fest Fishing Tournament will be held on Lake Jacksonville. Those interested in participating may contact Barry Moore at (903) 586-8427.

The Chili's Second Annual Street Dance will be at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Chili's parking lot, 1225 S. Jackson St. Entertainment will be Lauren Alexander, the Boyce Edwards Band, Ryan Turner and Todd Fritsch.

Registration and information about the Jacksonville Tomato Festival is available on the Web site, www.JacksonvilleTexas. com.