Saturday, August 9, 2025

〰️

Tomatoes are a popular and versatile local veggie and we want to celebrate it, so we invite you to join us for our 3rd annual TomatoFest!

Expand each section below to learn more about the exciting things you can find at TomatoFEST.

Click here to view/download the TomatoFEST schedule.
Click here to view/download the TomatoFEST map.
Please note that there is very limited parking at the L&N Depot. If that lot is full, you can find additional parking at the following locations:
- Parallel parking on either side of Valley Rive Ave/Hiwassee Ave
- Public parking lot at the corner of Church St. and Central St.
- Nantahala Bank has graciously agreed to let us use their lot for event parking (Thank you, Nantahala Bank!). You can find them at 86 Hiwassee St.

Step into the L&N Depot and learn how to make a different dish every hour!
9:30a: Tomato Pie
10:30a: Salsa (kid-friendly demo!)
11:30a: Pasta w/ Tomato Sauce
12:30p: Tomato & Peach Salsa
Each hour, we’ll rotate through the following fun activities:
- Storytime with tomatoes
- Tomato Games
- Tomato art
- Tomato taste test
The Nantahala Regional Library is bringing their Book Adventure Mobile (BAM) and will have tomato activities, too!
Grace’s Painted Faces will be on-hand to provide fun face painting!
*Please NOTE: The Family Fun Tent is not a babysitting service. Our volunteers are not licensed childcare providers. We ask that parents remain present while their children at the Family Fun Tent. Even better, parents can even join in the fun!
Help us decide who makes the best Bloody Mary in Cherokee and Clay counties!
Tasting and voting will take place between 10a-12:30p.
If you’d like to judge our Bloody Mary contest, tickets cost $10 and entitle you to a tasting from each competitor and a single vote for your favorite entry. You must be 21 or older to participate.