PD Tomato Festival

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

PITTSTON – Pittston tomatoes have a distinct taste, one that brings people from near and far to stock up on the shiny red fruit of summer.

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Ron Coolbaugh of Dymond’s Farm in Orange fills a basket of tomatoes at the Pittston Farmers’ Market on Tuesday morning. Tomatoes in the city will be plentiful through Sunday during the 26th annual Pittston Tomato Festival, which kicks off today.

BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

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Pittston officials and gardeners are so proud they are ready to highlight the chosen fruit once again in the 26th annual Pittston Tomato Festival that runs this evening through Sunday.

Golomb Farms of Plains Township is among those who set up a booth every year at the festival. For Golomb Farms, this will be its 24th year to present fresh produce to the public.

“We do well. We sell a lot of tomatoes. It brings a lot of out-of-town people. They come and say they want Pittston tomatoes,” said Harold Golomb.

He said he believes the combination of Pittston area soil and climate is what makes the flavor of the tomatoes so unique.

Penn State Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent John Esslinger is proud the festival showcases area farmers and the region’s farming abilities.

“We can grow high-quality tomatoes in this section of the state, and I think the festival highlights that,” Esslinger said, adding that Pittston tomatoes are grown throughout northern Luzerne County.

The Pittston tomato traces its name from the time when area farmers would travel to Pittston to ship their produce to New York City and Philadelphia, Esslinger said.

Farmers are harvesting tomatoes about 10 days later than normal this year because of the cooler temperatures the region experienced in June and July, Esslinger said.

People coming out to the event can enjoy tomatoes, pasta sauces and other tomato-inspired dishes while also helping nonprofit organizations. Local charities will be given money raised from the four-day festival, Chairwoman Lori Nocito said.

People also will come from out of town to walk around and see what improvements the city has made in recent years, including the streetscape project that buried electrical lines, planted trees and replaced sidewalks, committee member Michael Lombardo said.

“In addition to the good food and friendships, it is a way for people to see the little town working its way back to the top,” Lombardo said.

If you go

26th annual Pittston Tomato Festival

Where: Robert E. Conroy Sr. Memorial Park Pittston Tomato Festival Grounds, Main Street

When: 5-11 p.m. today; 6-11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday

Sherry Long, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7159.