The Woodland Tomato Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, will celebrate Yolo County’s special heritage — the tomato.

“It’s that time of year once again when we can start enjoying fresh locally grown, vine-ripened tomatoes,” a festival news release said. “Biting into a freshly picked Cherokee Purple heirloom tomato or enjoying a tomato cucumber basil salad are just cause for celebrating the return of the summer tomato.”

In Yolo County, more than 40,000 acres of commercial processing tomatoes are planted each year with a value of more than $100 million. Other local growers sell their large variety of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes at local farmers markets and roadside farm stands, and tomatoes continue to be the most popular vegetable found in our backyard gardens.

Recognizing the local importance of tomatoes, the Woodland Farmers Market and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invite all comers to celebrate the tomato at the fifth annual festival on Aug. 11. Held at Freeman Park on Main Street in downtown Woodland, this free festival features family fun for all ages.

From the live performances and free tomato tasting to the “Best Salsa in Town” restaurant competition and a Top Tomato Chef Competition, it is a whirlwind of tomato fun. Woodland Farmers Market vendors will be there along with local crafters, artisans and nonprofit community groups.

The Yolo County Master Gardeners will have a tomato-tasting booth where visitors can taste and compare about 30 varieties of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, as well as a gardening information booth where they can learn everything about growing and preserving tomatoes.

Festival activities for kids include a bounce house, face painting and visits with Tommy and Tonia Tomato.

For more information on the festival or reserving a vendor booth, visit www.woodlandtomatofestival.com or call (530) 666-2626.

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