Sunday’s live entertainment at the Tomato Festival was kicked off by Danny Argo and Company on the Main Stage.
                                 Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

Sunday’s live entertainment at the Tomato Festival was kicked off by Danny Argo and Company on the Main Stage.

Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

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<p>The fourth and final day of the Pittston Tomato Festival saw yet another big crowd looking to enjoy one more day of food and fun.</p>
                                 <p>Kevin Carroll | Times Leader</p>

The fourth and final day of the Pittston Tomato Festival saw yet another big crowd looking to enjoy one more day of food and fun.

Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

<p>Eric Drouse and Sabrina Hoban mine for gems at the Bootlegger Bo’s Gem Mine stand at the Tomato Festival.</p>
                                 <p>Kevin Carroll | Times Leader</p>

Eric Drouse and Sabrina Hoban mine for gems at the Bootlegger Bo’s Gem Mine stand at the Tomato Festival.

Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

<p>One of the Festival’s newest attractions, a Ferris wheel that overlooks the rest of the grounds, proved to be a big hit throughout the weekend.</p>
                                 <p>Kevin Carroll | Times Leader</p>

One of the Festival’s newest attractions, a Ferris wheel that overlooks the rest of the grounds, proved to be a big hit throughout the weekend.

Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

PITTSTON — The Tomato Festival showed no signs of slowing down even on its final day, as another large crowd turned out to enjoy the last day of festivities before the yearly celebration came to a close.

Sunday marked the official end of the 39th annual Pittston Tomato Festival, and just about everyone in was agreement: it was another job well done by the city, and the community as a whole, to put on another hugely successful festival.

“I’m very proud, and the community deserves a ton of credit,” said Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo. “I’m thankful for the other city employees that helped make this happen.”

Just two years removed from a year off necessitated by COVID-19, this year’s festival looked and sounded as strong as ever, and the community responded in droves each of the four days to have fun and celebrate..

Several of the festival vendors, including artist Keith Renard, mentioned the different backgrounds and types of people that make up the festival crowd as a reason why they love setting up shop at the Tomato Festival, year after year.

“It’s fun to be around so many different cultures. It’s a great mix of people,” Renard said. “I also like how it’s family-oriented.”

Renard, who had many of his works for sale at the festival as well as a website, www.artworkbykeithrenard.com, said that he’s been drawing and creating art for as long as he could remember.

“It’s been pretty much all my life,” he said. “I would watch art shows on TV, that was always an inspiration.”

Perhaps the biggest example of the Festival’s family atmosphere as referenced by Renard was the weekend’s newest addition: at the very top tier of the Festival behind the Pittston Public Library was a small-scale amusement park, with a Ferris wheel, several rides and various carnival games for the kids.

“We added some new things this year,” Lombardo said. “We’re always pushing the envelope.”

Sunday’s activities started early with the crowning of this year’s Little Miss and Mister Pittston Tomato winners, with the crowns and sashes awarded to Lydia Lokuta and Ryan Hower, respectively.

Live music kicked off at 1 p.m. with Danny Argo and Company and lasted well into the evening, with acts like Living Cash, the Eddie Money tribute act “Shakin” and Tony’s Wine Cellar Jam rounding out the acts taking the Main Stage.

While the music played, the food tents were busy and there was plenty to see and do.

Down near the stage at the Bootlegger Bo’s Gem Mine booth, customers had the chance to sift through dirt and see if they could find some buried treasure.

“We’re looking for gems,” said Sabrina Hoban, as she and Eric Drouse searched at Bootlegger Bo’s.

Both Hoban and Drouse were impressed with this year’s festival.

“They really outdid themselves this year,” Hoban said.

Many folks spoke along the same lines when asked about the reason they think the Tomato Festival stands out each and every year: it’s a great way to bring the community together.

“It’s good to see people come together and have a good time,” said Margaret Klush, who was enjoying the first couple songs of Argo’s set.

Alana Bartuska, working the Tim’s Chili and Salsa stand, agreed.

“This weekend really brings out the community,” she said.

Lombardo, who kept himself busy all weekend and could be seen shaking hands and chatting with many of the festival’s attendees over the course of the weekend, noted that the festival’s strength lies in the people that attend.

“Without the people here, at the end of the day it’s no good,” he said.