PD Tomato Festival

Sunday Dispatch Staff

Anyone in Greater Pittston with a computer connected to the internet has probably received an email with an attached copy of the July 27 Washington Post article about the Pittston Tomato Festival. The buzz resulting from the article seems to say the festival finally has arrived. But that is hardly the case. The festival arrived 26 years ago. It’s taken Washington that long to catch up.

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The Tomato Fights on Saturday afternoon is one of the most popular events at the four-day Pittston Tomato Festival.

File Photo by Bill Tarutis

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The aftermath of the Tomato Fights.

File Photo by Bill Tarutis

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The 26th annual Pittston Tomato Festival opens Thursday August 20, at 5 p.m. in downtown Pittston, and continues through Sunday, August 23, when it closes at 10 p.m. Traditionally, more than 50,000 people attend the four-day event noted for its wide variety of food, nightly entertainment, farmers’ market featuring the incomparable Pittston tomato, gala parade, and, of course, the “Tomato Fights” on Saturday afternoon.

The opening ceremony is conducted at the band shell Thursday evening at 6 p.m. followed by the Windfall Express entertaining from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Groove Train then takes over performing from 9 to 11 p.m.

The festival resumes at 5 p.m. on Friday with Somethin’ Else taking the stage from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by Bad Hair Day performing from 9 to 11.

The activity begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, with the annual 5K race starting on North Main Street and concluding at the Festival grounds.

The parade, which is broadcast live on Fox 56 TV, begins at 11:30 a.m. on South Main Street.

At 12:30 p.m. the Race Awards Ceremony is held at the band shell followed by the Pittston Tomato Festival Queen Scholarship Pageant from 1:00-2:00 p.m. When the Tomato Queen is chosen she will reign over the festival for the remaining two days.

The popular Tomato Fights, with participants paying a fee which is donated to charity to throw over-ripe tomatoes at each other, begin at 1:30 p.m. at Cooper’s Waterfront parking lot on Kennedy Boulevard. This year’s fights are sponsored by Price Chopper.

The Jimmy T. Elvis Tribute will be at the band shell from 2:15-2:45 p.m. The rest of the Saturday entertainment lineup is: 3:15-4:00 p.m. The Sperazza Band; 4:30 -5:30 p.m. Danny Argo and Friends; 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Mark Mack Orchestra; 9 to 11 p.m. Flaxy Morgan.

The Tomato Contest, with prizes for Largest, Smallest, Ugliest and Most Perfect Tomato, is conducted at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Sunday, August 23, kicks off with the Little Miss and Little Mr. Tomato Contest from 11:00-12:15.

David Blight School of Dance performs from 12:30-1:00, followed by Stanky and the Coal Miners, 1:30-2:30.

The Hi-Lites perform on Sunday, August 23, from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. followed by The Poets from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. and Hyde Park from 8 to 10 p.m.

Sauce Wars

Back again this year will be “Sauce Wars,” taking place throughout the festival. Local restaurants will be competing for the bragging rights proclaiming their tomato sauce superiority. For a $1 donation, Festival goers are encouraged to taste and vote on their favorite sauce. The winner will be announced on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. on the Festival grounds. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Greater Pittston YMCA.

Committee

The 2009 Pittston Tomato Festival Committee includes:

Chairperson - Lori Nocito

Co-chairpersons - Michael Lombardo, Jim Zarra

Vendor Chairperson - Susan Lombardo

Committe Stand Chairperson - Jeanie Bantell

Parade Chairpersons - James and Judy Deice, Mary Ciarelli and Clairellen Hopple

5K Run Co-chairpersons - Jerry Mullarkey and Jay Duffy

Little Miss and Little - Mr. Tomato Contest Chairperson - Judy Strelish & Angel Noone

Grounds Supervisors - Jim Zarra, Ken Bangs

Secretary - Jerry Mullarkey

Treasurer- Tom Sewatsky, CPA

Queen Scholarship Pageant Chairperson - Angel Noone

Electricity - Guido Galli

Committee members - Mike Lombardo, Susan Lombardo, Jim Zarra, Lori Nocito, Lee Bantell, Phil Campenni, Jeanie Bantell, Tony Bantell, Clairellen Hopple, Mary Chiarelli, Donna Connors, Ken Bangs, Joan McFadden, Michael Lombardo, Esq., Joy Lombardo, James Deice, Judy Deice, Joleen Lazecki, Tom Sewatsky, Jerry Mullarkey, Chris Latona, Suzanne Agostinelli, Alan Dente, Theresa Colella, Rosie Linko, Angel Noone, Jerry Mecadon, Esq., Krista Mecadon, Sheri Petrikonis, Jennifer Yelen, Guido Galli, Gina Miscavage, Jackie Borthwick, Rita Skechus, Judy Strelish, Cindy Esposito, Ginger Murphy, Jennifer Haas, Rosemary Dessoye, Bob Pugliese, Maria Caporella-Montante, Chris Bantell, Danielle Kampas, Katie Duffy, Atty. Ben Tielle, Jay Duffy, Paul Cooper, Jim Noone, Rich Kossuth, Barbara Altoe, Tony Guariglia andTerri Zezza, Chester Montante.