If you didn’t have plans slated this weekend, it’s time to ketchup. Our Tomato Art Fest excitement is ripe ahead of the 20th anniversary kickoff preview party on Thursday, Aug. 10.
From a costume contest, entertainment lineup across three stages, kids activities, and more — there’s a lot to see over the two-day, free weekend event. So, here’s a quick guide to enjoying this Five Points tradition.
🗺️ Map out your tomato adventure
You’re going to need to know where to tomatgo. Use this festival map to find a list of road closures + hotspots like the parade route, concert stages, and the Bloody Mary garden party.
🎨 Parade + Art Show
Soak up the sights at the Tomato Art Show at 1106 Woodland St. on Friday, Aug. 11 (12-9 p.m.), Saturday, Aug 12 (9 a.m -7 p.m.), and Sunday, Aug. 13 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.). Admire a different kind of art at the “Push, Pull, and Wear” Parade on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. — local bands and drumlines will bring the marching jams.
🗓️ Don’t miss events
Polish those tomatoes. You’re encouraged to dress up your homegrown or store-bought contestant for the Beautiful Tomato Contest. Plus, the ugly tomatoes deserve the spotlight, too. We’ve rounded up a few more activities below.
- Ice Cream Community Art | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 9 a.m.-7 p.m. | Pied Piper Ice Cream Booth, 11th Avenue | Bring photos of yourself from past festivities to add to the “20 Years of Tomato Collage.”
- Haiku Contest | Submit entries by today | Write a tomato-related haiku in classic 5-7-5 style — winners are announced in-person on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 10:40 a.m.
- Tomato Red Head Contest | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Hip Zipper, 1008 Forrest Ave. | Redheads of all ages can participate.